Law and Rights
On Tusday 13th March, Sir Nicolas Bratza (President of the European Court of Human Rights) gave evidence to Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights. Sir Nicolas was accompanied at the session by Mr Registrar Erik Fribergh who dealt with one 3 part question. The interesting session may be viewed here:
Many topics were considered including: why the Convention is viewed by the court as a "living instrument", the question of "dialogue" between the court and both national judges and national Parliaments, advisory opinions as proposed by the UK in the draft Brighton declaration, "subsidiarity" and "margin of appreciation", the proposed changes to criteria for admissibility of cases, the court's workload, the advantages of the European Union itself acceding to the European Convention on Human Rights and the appointment of judges. Judges at Strasbourg are, as Sir Nicolas pointed out, already appointed by a rigorous process and the process includes an election stage. Sir Nicolas considered that the appointments process had improved considerably over the 14 years that he has been at the court.
If you have just over an hour to spare, this session is essential viewing.
See also Parliament's website - Joint Committee hears evidence on human rights judgments
and The Guardian for the view of Anthony Lester QC that the E Ct Hr needs the reforms proposed by the UK. There has also been a proposal that applicants to the E Ct HR are charged fees - The Guardian 13th March - "Outcry over plans to charge E Ct HR claimants."
- Wrong, Mr Gove !
This morning, the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor gave evidence to the House of Commons Justice Committee. He would not offer a guarantee that the government would keep the UK in the European Convention on Human Rights. ...
- Human Rights Day ~ 65 Years Since The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights
10th December - Human Rights Day. In a letter to The Telegraph, leaders of many 'civil society groups' have urged that Britain stands firm on the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act. Both of these were inspired...
- View From Strasbourg ~ Paul Mahoney
At the European Court of Human Rights, each member State of the Council of Europe has a judge from that State. Paul Mahoney is the judge from the UK. In the Law Society Gazette he has set out some of his views - Law Society Gazette 11th November...
- Parliament ~ Prisoner Voting ~ Evidence From Secretary-general Of The Council Of Europe And The Attorney-general
On Wednesday (6th November) a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament resumed its work considering the draft Prisoner Voting (Eligibility) Bill. The Bill contains 3 options but also notes that there 'will no doubt be other possible options.' ...
- Uk Seeks To Minimise The Influence Of Strasbourg
Post updated 1st March A leaked document has revealed the hand which the UK government is playing in the run up to the High Level Conference on the Future of the European Court of Human Rights due to be held in Brighton in April 2012. The document may...
Law and Rights
Human Rights - Sir Nicolas Bratza talked to Parliament
On Tusday 13th March, Sir Nicolas Bratza (President of the European Court of Human Rights) gave evidence to Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights. Sir Nicolas was accompanied at the session by Mr Registrar Erik Fribergh who dealt with one 3 part question. The interesting session may be viewed here:
Many topics were considered including: why the Convention is viewed by the court as a "living instrument", the question of "dialogue" between the court and both national judges and national Parliaments, advisory opinions as proposed by the UK in the draft Brighton declaration, "subsidiarity" and "margin of appreciation", the proposed changes to criteria for admissibility of cases, the court's workload, the advantages of the European Union itself acceding to the European Convention on Human Rights and the appointment of judges. Judges at Strasbourg are, as Sir Nicolas pointed out, already appointed by a rigorous process and the process includes an election stage. Sir Nicolas considered that the appointments process had improved considerably over the 14 years that he has been at the court.
If you have just over an hour to spare, this session is essential viewing.
See also Parliament's website - Joint Committee hears evidence on human rights judgments
and The Guardian for the view of Anthony Lester QC that the E Ct Hr needs the reforms proposed by the UK. There has also been a proposal that applicants to the E Ct HR are charged fees - The Guardian 13th March - "Outcry over plans to charge E Ct HR claimants."
- Wrong, Mr Gove !
This morning, the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor gave evidence to the House of Commons Justice Committee. He would not offer a guarantee that the government would keep the UK in the European Convention on Human Rights. ...
- Human Rights Day ~ 65 Years Since The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights
10th December - Human Rights Day. In a letter to The Telegraph, leaders of many 'civil society groups' have urged that Britain stands firm on the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act. Both of these were inspired...
- View From Strasbourg ~ Paul Mahoney
At the European Court of Human Rights, each member State of the Council of Europe has a judge from that State. Paul Mahoney is the judge from the UK. In the Law Society Gazette he has set out some of his views - Law Society Gazette 11th November...
- Parliament ~ Prisoner Voting ~ Evidence From Secretary-general Of The Council Of Europe And The Attorney-general
On Wednesday (6th November) a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament resumed its work considering the draft Prisoner Voting (Eligibility) Bill. The Bill contains 3 options but also notes that there 'will no doubt be other possible options.' ...
- Uk Seeks To Minimise The Influence Of Strasbourg
Post updated 1st March A leaked document has revealed the hand which the UK government is playing in the run up to the High Level Conference on the Future of the European Court of Human Rights due to be held in Brighton in April 2012. The document may...