Reception of the Human Rights Act in British law and culture

Centre for the Study of Human Rights, Centre for Civil Society and Mannheim Centre for Criminology, London School of Economics

Until enactment of the Human Rights Act in 1998 British law did not recognise any concept of ‘human rights’. Despite international obligations to adhere to various human rights agreements, and oversight of UK law and practice via the European Court of Human Rights, these external elements had not had a significant impact on the domestic legal environment. All this changed in November 1998 when the Human Rights Act received Royal Assent.

Ten years later the time is ripe for a large-scale analysis of how human rights have been received in British law and culture. This interdisciplinary team based at LSE seeks to undertake extensive research examining the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on British law, the executive and civil society.

For more information or to discuss this project, email Tessa Boyd-Caine

Centre for the Study of Human Rights,
Centre for Civil Society,
Mannheim Centre for Criminology.

Last updated 8 July 2008

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