The Law Explained...
Below are our articles on the subject of The Law Explained. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
A UK Bill of Rights?
A look at the different arguments in favour of a British Bill of Rights. What it means to have an unwritten constitution and what could be included in a Bill of Rights....
Are Human Rights a National or International Issue?
Human Rights are both a national and international issue....
Can a Case Be Heard Without a Newspaper Reporter Present?
Criminal court hearings and the right to a fair and public trial. What are the rules on magistrates’ court hearings being held in private?...
Can I Object to Data on National Children's Database?
The National Children’s Database - or the ContactPoint Database - what is it and does it comply with data protection and human rights laws?...
Can You Be Charged Without Caution?
The police have stringent procedures to follow, if in doubt contact a solicitor...
Do Airport Security Measures Breach My Human Rights?
Airport security and human rights: an overview of security techniques which have caused controversy. Striking a balance between security and personal rights and freedoms....
Do I Need to Worry About Human Rights?
Human Rights and the development of enforceability is an issue that everyoneshould be concerned about....
Does a Child Need Human Rights?
Every child has rights, we have the duty to enforce them....
Equal Rights: The Right to be Treated Equally
Equal rights are not an enigma that is out of reach; they are a reality....
Freedom from Slavery or Forced Labour
The right to freedom from slavery and forced labour - Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights and its application to UK law....
Freedom from Torture, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
A guide to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights; the right to freedom from torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment....
How did Human Rights Laws Originate?
To consider the origin of our Human Rights Laws, it is absolutely necessary that we look further than our own shores...
How do I Enforce My Human Rights?
You feel your rights have been breached, what now?...
Human Rights and a DNA Database
The UK’s National DNA Database - how it works, whose DNA samples are kept on the Database and what it means for human rights....
Human Rights and Adopted Children
We explain the human rights and equality issues relating to adoption - and the rights of adopted children and their parents....
Human Rights and CCTV
Human rights, civil liberties and the use of CCTV cameras in the UK. Are CCTV cameras a crime-deterrent and is their use compatible with an individual's right to privacy?...
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
The differences - and similarities - between human rights and civil liberties. Where do civil liberties come from and how are they protected?...
Human Rights and Extraordinary Rendition
Extraordinary rendition and human rights law - can the use of torture to obtain information ever be justified in the fight to combat terrorism?...
Human Rights and Gender Equality
An overview of human rights and gender equality. The introduction of the new equality law and the impact of spending cuts on gender equality....
Human Rights and Genetics
A summary of some of the human rights and ethical questions raised by the rapidly advancing field of genetic research and its practical applications....
Human Rights and Giving Birth
An overview of some of the human rights issues that may arise in connection to giving birth. Protecting the human rights of both mothers and unborn children....
Human Rights and Medical Treatment
An overview of some situations in relation to the provision of medical treatment by a public authority which may raise human rights issues....
Human Rights and Members of the Armed Forces
The UK Supreme Court’s decision on the application of the Human Rights Act to members of the UK’s armed forces stationed abroad...
Human Rights and Powers of Stop and Search
Balancing the police’s power of stop and search against the right to respect for private life and the right not to be discriminated against on grounds of nationality or ethnicity....
Human Rights and Racial Equality
Racial equality and human rights in the UK – an overview on the laws and rules against discrimination based on race, ethnic background or nationality....
Human Rights and Same Sex Marriages
How does human rights law apply to same sex marriages or civil partnerships? The Civil Partnership Act and the difference between civil partnerships and marriages....
Human Rights and Sexuality
An overview of some of the main laws governing human rights, equality and the entitlement of an individual to be free from discrimination regardless of their sexuality....
Human Rights and the Internet
An overview of the legal and human rights issues which may relate to the internet, social networking sites, public comments and illegal downloading....
Human Rights and Transgender Issues
A brief overview of transgender issues and human rights. The equality and anti-discrimination laws which apply to transgender people and right for legal recognition of a new gender....
Human Rights Issues in the Workplace
All public authority workers have rights to protect them....
Human Rights Legal Remedies
What the Courts may do if your human rights have been breached....
Human Rights...and Responsibilities
Do human rights come with reciprocal responsibilities? Who has responsibility for upholding human rights and should they be conditional on 'good behaviour'?...
Is it My Right to Know If He's Really My Father?
What rights does a child have to know the identity of their biological parents? Using DNA tests to resolve questions about paternity....
Personal Freedom: The Right to Behave How You Want
Having personal freedom does not mean that we can behave without consideration for others....
Religious Freedom: The Right to Believe What You Want
Religious freedom is not a myth; we have the right to believe what we wish....
Religious Schools in the UK and the Right to Religious Freedom
Religious or faith schools in the UK and the special rules which apply to them. Religious schools and their relevance to human rights and equality issues....
Repealing the UK's Human Rights Act
Will the Human Rights Act be replaced by a British Bill of Rights? Or has the promise to repeal an unpopular law got lost in the coalition government's negotiations?...
Respect for Private Life, Family and the Right to Marry
A summary of the right to respect for private and family life and the right to get married and start a family as contained in the Human Rights Act....
Right to Life: Not Just an Abortion Issue
The right to life is a fundamental issue and the cause of serious debate...
Rights of People Detained Under the Mental Health Act
Mental illness is widely misunderstood, yet sufferers still have rights....
Serving a Prison Sentence: Prisoner's Rights
No matter what your crime you still have basic human rights whilst in prison....
Slavery in Today's Society
Slavery does exist in our society....
Terrorism: National Security v Human Rights
Is it acceptable to curtail human rights for the sake of national security?...
The Freedom of Information Act and Your Rights
The Freedom of Information Act; how this affects you....
The Human Rights Policies of the UK's Main Political Parties
An overview of the different approaches taken to human rights, equalities and freedoms by the UK’s three main political parties....
The Right to a Fair Trial to No Punishment Without Law
A summary of the law contained in the Human Rights Act relating to the right to a fair trial and the right to no punishment without law....
The Right to Life
An overview of the right to life contained in the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act and how it is applied in UK law....
The Right to Personal Freedom
A summary of the right to freedom or liberty contained in the Human Rights Act. Exceptions to the right, and the rights of those held in lawful detention....
The Rights of the Bereaved
A bereavement can be a heart-wrenching time, but there are systems in place to assist....
The Role of the European Court of Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights could be seen as the final arbiter for human rights abuses made by any National or Local Authority....
The UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission
An overview of the new Equality and Human Rights Commission: the organisation with responsibility for monitoring discrimination and enforcing equality and human rights laws....
Torture: The Right to Not Be Tortured
The right to not be tortured is one of the fundamental human rights that we must protect....
UK Breaches of Human Rights Law
A summary of some cases where the European Court of Human Rights has held that the UK has been in breach of human rights law....
Voluntary Human Rights Organisations
Voluntary Human Rights organisations perform an important function....
What are Human Rights? The Basic Facts
Human Rights are the essential needs that society, and we as members of that society, are required to provide for each other and ourselves....
What is the Human Rights Act?
THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT is quite possibly the most important piece of legislation to be issued by the British Government...
When a Country Breaches International Human Rights Law
An overview of the methods by which the United Nations seeks to protect and enforce the human rights of people all over the world....
Where Can I Get Official Advice About my Human Rights?
Official advice about your human rights is available in a variety of places....
Your Freedom of Speech
The freedom of speech is a fundamental human right....
Your Human Rights in a Foreign Country
Your human rights when travelling abroad...
Your Privacy Rights : Data Protection Act and Privacy Laws
Your Privacy Laws; What people can know about you....
Your Rights as a Defendant in Court
Innocent until proven guilty is one of the foundations of our legal system, it is your right to be treated fairly, no matter what your supposed offence....
Your Rights as a Prisoner or Detainee
What are your rights when being held without charge?...
Your Rights as a Suspect of a Crime
Anyone suspected or accused of a crime must be treated fairly....
Your Rights as a Traveller
Gypsies and travellers have the same basic human rights as the rest of society....
Your Rights as a Victim of a Crime
Reporting a crime against you could be a daunting prospect but the procedures are there to help....
Your Rights as an Immigrant
Immigration rights and immigration law is a politically based argument and it is essential that immigrants rights are protected....
Your Rights to Protest or Demonstrate
Your human right to protest is fundamental and unshakeable....