Human Rights in the UK

"This is an excellent book, which is extremely student-friendly while remaining critical and analytical."

Prof. Caroline Fournet, University of Groningen and fellow at the ECIA

The Human Rights Act 1998 is one of the most important statutes ever passed in the United Kingdom and this highly-acclaimed textbook provides law students with a thorough introduction to the Act and the mass of case law that has followed it.

Human Rights in the UK has a clearly defined structure that firstly explores the background of the Act and how it came to be passed. It outlines the constitutional context of the Act so that the discussion is accessible to the student starting on their legal study or the non-lawyer. The book then examines the way in which the Act works in practice, and remedies available under it. The authors go on to discuss the particular rights embodied in the Act, giving each right separate and detailed consideration, drawing upon case law from both the UK and Europe. Finally, the issue of terrorism is considered in more detail bringing current and controversial debate to the fore.

Combining broad topic coverage with an engaging writing style, Hoffman and Rowe provide an outstanding platform for students wishing to gain a true insight into this contentious and constantly evolving area of law. 

Features include:

• Visual study aids, such as diagrams and photographs, are used to bring the subject to life
• End of chapter questions to test your understanding of the issues
• Includes the full text of both the Act and the European Convention in the appendices
• Regular updates to the law available at www.pearsoned.co.uk/legalupdates

New to this edition

• The discussion of the case law is brought up to date, highlighting the ongoing implications of the Human Rights Act in UK Law, with reference to the leading Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights case law under the Act. This includes recent cases on privacy and use of personal data, hearsay evidence, immigration, public protests and terrorism.
• Discussion of developing and controversial areas, which are the subject of contemporary political and media debate, include privacy, terrorism, travellers and immigration.

David Hoffman is a practising chancery and commercial barrister in Manchester, having previously taught law at Somerville College, Oxford. He has written variously on human rights topics, including the terrorism acts.

John Rowe Q.C. is a retired barrister, a former leader of the Northern Circuit, former Chairman of the Bar and a founder of the Northern Circuit Free Representation and Advice Scheme.  He was Parliaments Independent Reviewer of the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Acts (from 1993 to 2001).