HUMAN RIGHTS & CIVIL LIBERTIES

A commitment to the protection of civil liberties and human rights cuts across the work of every department of the firm.

Fundamental human rights are protected in law. The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR):

• Protects the right to life (Article 2),
• Protects the right to freedom from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment (Article 3)
• Protect the right to freedom from slavery (Article 4)
• Provides for the right to liberty and security of the person (Article 5)
• Guarantees the right to a fair trial (Article 6)
• Guarantees the right to respect for privacy and family life (Article 8)
• Provides for freedom of conscience and religion (Article 9)
• Protects the right to freedom of expression and association (Articles 10 and 11)

The law also provides protection from unlawful discrimination, whether based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.

Unfortunately, these rights are not always respected. Lawyers may be able to assist you where there is evidence that your fundamental rights have been breached. Our firm has acted in several of the most important human rights challenges in recent years. These have included cases arising from claims of torture, the alleged use of unlawful force by the police, the use by the Home Office of unlawful curfew powers and the detention of peaceful protesters. We have been instructed by clients in the UK and around the world and have experience of conducting litigation in the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and in international tribunals.

Our experience includes:

• Wrongful arrest or assault
• Torture
• Freedom of expression and protest rights
• Human Trafficking
• Rights to privacy and the misuse of personal data
• Unlawful detention
• The failure of the authorities to investigate or prosecute cases of sexual assault or serious abuse

Cases brought under the Human Rights Act or arising from the breach of other fundamental rights, may be brought by way of judicial review or claims for compensation.

Please contact our experts below for more information.