17. Freedoms and liberties in the UK
Keyword(s):
This chapter discusses the protection of freedoms and liberties in the UK. It begins by distinguishing between human rights and civil liberties. It then covers political and social or economic rights, the traditional means of protecting civil liberties in the UK, the European Convention on Human Rights, the incorporation of the Convention into English law, and judicial deference/discretionary areas of judgment. The Human Rights Act 1998 is reviewed from a protection of rights perspective. Finally, the question of a Bill of Rights for the UK is considered.