| It is
now unlawful for a public authority, such as a government department,
local authority or the police, (including Further and Higher Education
institutions) to breach the Convention rights, unless an Act of
Parliament meant it could not have acted differently.
Cases concerning human rights can now be dealt with in a court or
tribunal. Until the introduction of the legislation, anyone who
felt that their rights under the Convention had been breached had
to go to the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
All legislation must be given a meaning that fits with the Convention
rights, if that is possible. If a court says that is not possible
it will be up to Parliament to decide what to do.
The power to award damages for a breach of the Convention rights
is extended under the Act to any court that has power to order payment
of compensation in a civil case. |
