Committee investigates proposals to reform the Human Rights Act

• Parliament TV: watch the session live
• Inquiry: Human Rights Act reform
• Joint Committee on Human Rights

Purpose of the session

In December, the Government launched a consultation into proposals to reform the Human Rights Act. The proposals include replacing the Human Rights Act with a Bill of Rights, reducing both the role played by the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the ability of the domestic courts to ensure that legislation is read compatibly with our rights. The Government has stated they want to place greater emphasis on protecting freedom of speech, enshrine the right to trial by jury and prevent abuses of the justice system. The Government argues that such reforms would make it easier to deport foreign criminals and cement Parliament’s position as the ultimate decision maker on UK laws.   

In this opening session, the Committee will explore the implications of the proposed reforms. It will focus in particular on the potential change in the relationship between domestic courts, Parliament and the government. It will also hear evidence on how the Government’s proposals would alter the relationship between UK courts and the European Courts of Human Rights. 

Witnesses

Wednesday 26 January 2022

from 3pm

• Lord Mance, former Justice of the Supreme Court
• Professor Alison Young, Sir David Williams Professor of Public Law, Cambridge University
• Professor Adam Tomkins, John Millar Chair of Public Law, Glasgow University
• Dr Hélène Tyrrell, Lecturer in Law, Newcastle University

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: PC