Part II The Sources of the Law of State Immunity, 7 English Law: The UK State Immunity Act 1978

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fox Hazel ◽  
Webb Philippa
Keyword(s):  
General Structure ◽  
The State ◽  
European Convention ◽  
Brussels Convention ◽  
Private Capacity ◽  
State Immunity ◽  
The Status ◽  
English Law ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Heads Of State

This chapter reviews the status and general structure of the State Immunity Act 1978 (SIA), and gives an outline of its provisions. The SIA was enacted to codify the restrictive rule of State immunity and bring UK law in line with current international practice, and to enable the UK to ratify the European Convention on State Immunity 1972 (ECSI) and the earlier 1926 Brussels Convention and 1934 Protocol relating to the Immunity of State-owned ships. In addition, it provided for the recognition in the UK of foreign judgments given against the Crown in the courts of States Parties to the ECSI, and it also made provision for the extension to heads of State acting in their private capacity and their families of the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the head of a diplomatic mission and his family.

II. Ex parte Pinochet: Lacuna or Leap?

1999 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 949-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Warbrick ◽  
Dominic McGoldrick ◽  
Eileen Denza
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
The State ◽  
European Convention ◽  
Private Law ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Sovereign Immunity ◽  
State Immunity ◽  
House Of Lords ◽  
Domestic Courts ◽  
Heads Of State

The Lords were not lost in admiration of section 20 of the State Immunity Act 1978. Lord Browne-Wilkinson described it as “strange” and “baffling”. It is certainly true that (as Lord Browne-Wilkinson continued) “Parliament cannot have intended to give heads of state and former heads of state greater rights than they already enjoyed under international law”.1 Nor was it intended that their rights should be inadvertently curtailed. The State Immunity Bill originally introduced into the House of Lords in 1977 would, by reflecting in UK statute law the European Convention on State Immunity2 make huge inroads into absolute sovereign immunity—tottering but not yet demolished through the repeated onslaughts of Lord Denning. The European Convention was however “essentially concerned with ‘private law’ disputes between individuals and States”.3 It was not intended to have any application to criminal proceedings—in so far as lawyers in 1977 even contemplated criminal proceedings in domestic courts against foreign States in their public capacity. It did not deal with the personal privileges or immunities of heads of state. There were no ready-made treaty rules on heads of state and no clear customary rules either.4

Can I Decide Please? The State of Children's Consent in the UK

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Perera
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Democratic Society ◽  
The State ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
European Convention ◽  
The Status ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Right

AbstractThe right to self-determination for those with adequate competence underpins a democratic society. The European Convention on Human Rights does not draw a distinction between adults and children in this respect, and in fact advances the concept of children's rights. However in the UK a combination of statute and case law places some constraints on a child's right to autonomy. Prior to the Gillick principle there was little guidance on managing children under the age of sixteen. Whilst this is much clearer now there are some anomalies, for instance is the right to refuse the same as the right to agree to surgery? The increasing 'rights culture' for children is bringing this issue before the Courts more and more and the status of children continues to evolve in the UK.

scholarly journals Features of transformation of legal entities in the conditions of Brexit

2021 ◽  
pp. 531-538
Author(s):  
Olha Ovechkina
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
The State ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Actual Location ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Legal Entities

In connection with the decision to withdraw the UK from the EU a number of companies will need to take into account that from 1 January 2021 EU law will no longer apply to the United Kingdom and will become a "third country" for EU Member States, unless the provisions of bilateral agreements or multilateral trade agreements. This means that the four European freedoms (movement of goods, services, labor and capital) will no longer apply to UK companies to the same extent as they did during the UK's EU membership. The purpose of the article is to study, first of all, the peculiarities of the influence of Great Britain's withdrawal from the European Union on the legal regulation of the status of European legal entities. Brexit results in the inability to register European companies and European economic interest groups in the UK. Such companies already registered before 01.01.2021 have the opportunity to move their place of registration to an EU Member State. These provisions are defined in Regulations 2018 (2018/1298) and Regulations 2018 (2018/1299).British companies with branches in EU Member States will now be subject to the rules applicable to third-country companies, which provide additional information on their activities. In the EU, many countries apply the criterion of actual location, which causes, among other things, the problem of non-recognition of legal entities established in the country where the criterion of incorporation is used (including the United Kingdom), at the same time as the governing bodies of such legal entities the state where the settlement criterion is applied. Therefore, to reduce the likelihood of possible non-recognition of British companies, given the location of the board of such a legal entity in the state where the residency criterion applies, it seems appropriate to consider reincarnation at the actual location of such a company. Reducing the risks of these negative consequences in connection with Brexit on cross-border activities of legal entities is possible by concluding interstate bilateral and multilateral agreements that would contain unified rules on conflict of law regulation of the status of legal entities.

THE LEGAL STATUS OF CENTRAL BANK INVESTMENTS UNDER ENGLISH LAW

1998 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 374-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLIAM BLAIR
Keyword(s):  
Legal Status ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Central Banks ◽  
The Public ◽  
State Immunity ◽  
The Us ◽  
English Law ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Special Provision ◽  
Made In

Central banks have enormous sums of money in various forms of investments. When claims are made either against the banks themselves, or against other governmental bodies, issues arise as to whether these assets can be attached, and made available to satisfy judgments. The article explains how central banks are treated in English law. It explains the special provision made in respect of their assets under the State Immunity Act 1978. There is wide immunity from attachment, though questions can arise as to the ownership of such assets. The UK legislation is, in some respects, wider than its counterpart, the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act 1976. Recent case law is described in which the English courts have recognised that the public responsibilities of central banks have to be taken account of when determining the extent of their liability to attachment.

21. Applications: prisoners’ rights

2021 ◽  
pp. 433-447
Author(s):  
Howard Davis
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
The State ◽  
European Convention ◽  
Legal Knowledge ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Self Test ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Article 5 ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Domestic Law

Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. It discusses European Convention law and relates it to domestic law under the HRA. Questions, discussion points, and thinking points help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress and knowledge can be tested by self-test questions and exam questions at the chapter end. This chapter considers the application of Convention rights in the field of prisoners’ rights; the impact of Convention rights on prisoners in the UK is considered. Prisoners remain within the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights, though the application of these rights will take their position into account. Prisoners’ rights include not only rights to the non-arbitrary loss of liberty (Article 5) and rights to fair procedures (Articles 5 and 6), but also not to be disproportionately denied the rights and freedoms in Articles 8–11. Imprisonment deprives individuals of their liberty and, therefore, is a public function for which the state is responsible under the Convention. The controversy over prisoners’ right to vote is discussed in Chapter 25.

The Status of Member States not Participating in the Euro

2001 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 293-314
Author(s):  
David O’Keeffe ◽  
Catherine Turner
Keyword(s):  
Economic And Monetary Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
The Third ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Third Stage ◽  
The Status ◽  
Legal Position ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Heads Of State

In May 1998, the Council, meeting in the composition of Heads of State or Government, unanimously decided, in accordance with Article 121(2) EC, that eleven Member States fulfilled the necessary conditions to move towards the third and final stage of economic and monetary union (EMU) with the adoption of the single currency on 1 January 1999. This article will discuss the legal position of the Member States which did not initially progress to the third stage of EMU, in particular, the opt-outs exercised by the United Kingdom (UK) and Denmark. There follows an analysis of the extent of the UK and Danish opt-outs and the derogation which exists in relation to Sweden (and previously Greece) together with the role of these Member States in the new institutional framework as in operation from 1 January 1999. The current political discussions on the Euro taking place within the UK and Denmark will be highlighted.

The Final Chapter of the Demise of the Pure Absolute Doctrine of State Immunity in English Law: A Swedish vignette

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-431
Author(s):  
Jack Beatson
Keyword(s):  
Common Law ◽  
Sovereign Immunity ◽  
State Immunity ◽  
The Common ◽  
English Law ◽  
The Uk

Abstract A comment on the insight Johnny Veeder’s historical sense and the insight he derived from his research in archives gave him in understanding the final chapter of the story of the demise in the common law of the UK of the pure, absolute, doctrine of state or sovereign immunity in the I Congreso del Partido

3. Sources of English Law

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Jones
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Case Law ◽  
European Convention ◽  
Eu Law ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Human Rights Act ◽  
Human Rights Act 1998 ◽  
English Law ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Eu

This chapter discusses the sources of English law, legislation, custom, case law, and EU law. It includes detail of how an Act of Parliament is created, an explanation of delegated legislation, and how legislation is interpreted by the courts. In considering case law, the importance of judicial precedent and how the system of precedence functions is fully explained. The chapter also discusses the major institutions of the EU including the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The sources of EU law, treaties, regulations, directives, and decisions are outlined. The chapter discusses the 2016 referendum and the position of EU law in the UK during the negotiation period for the UK’s exit from the EU. Detail is given of the rights protected under the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998.

scholarly journals REVIEW OF EXECUTIVE ACTION ABROAD: THE UK SUPREME COURT IN THE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ORDER

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-66
Author(s):  
Andrew Sanger
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Supreme Court ◽  
International Law ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
European Convention ◽  
English Court ◽  
English Law ◽  
Uk Supreme Court ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Tort Claims

AbstractIn January 2017, the UK Supreme Court handed down landmark judgments in three cases arising out of the UK government's conduct abroad. In Serdar Mohammed v Ministry of Defence, the Court considered whether detention in non-international armed conflicts was compatible with the right of liberty in Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The second case, Belhaj v Straw, involved an examination of the nature and scope of the foreign act of State doctrine, and its applicability as a defence to tort claims arising out of the alleged complicity of the UK Government in human rights abuses abroad. Finally, Rahmatullah v Ministry of Defence saw the Court examining the nature and scope of the Crown act of State doctrine, and its use as a defence to tort claims alleging unlawful detention and maltreatment. All three cases raise important doctrinal issues and have significant consequences for government accountability and access to a judicial remedy. At the heart of each decision is the relationship between international law and English law, including the ways in which international norms influence the development of English law and public policy, and how different interpretations of domestic law affect how judges resolve questions of international law. These cases also see the judges grapple with the role of the English court in the UK constitutional and international legal orders.

3. Sources of English Law

2019 ◽  
pp. 41-74
Author(s):  
Lucy Jones
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Case Law ◽  
European Convention ◽  
Eu Law ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Human Rights Act ◽  
Human Rights Act 1998 ◽  
English Law ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Eu

This chapter discusses the sources of English law, legislation, custom, case law, and EU law. It includes detail of how an Act of Parliament is created, an explanation of delegated legislation, and how legislation is interpreted by the courts. In considering case law, the importance of judicial precedent and how the system of precedence functions is fully explained. The chapter also discusses the major institutions of the EU including the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The sources of EU law, treaties, regulations, directives, and decisions are outlined. The chapter outlines the 2016 referendum and the position of EU law in the UK during the negotiation period for the UK’s exit from the EU and the likely impact of the UK’s exit from the EU. Detail is given of the rights protected under the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998.

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