Contents
2 Access to justice and the rule of law
The preconditions necessary for enforcement of human rights
The need for a strategic approach to securing access to justice to enforce human rights
3 The damaging effects of legal aid reforms
Legal aid reform in England and Wales
Financial eligibility for legal aid
Difficulties arising from the increase of Litigants in Person
Damaging impact of LASPO on human rights
Article 8 - the right to a private and family life
‘Legal aid deserts’ and the threat to the future of legal aid provision
4 The importance of a robustly independent judiciary
Role of the independent judiciary in enforcing human rights
The ECHR as a ‘living instrument’
The danger of Government criticism of human rights judgments
Government’s central role in supporting and defending the independence of the judiciary
5 The importance of a robustly independent legal profession
Potential threats to legal professionals’ independence
Proposal for an ‘embarrassment clause’ in the contract for criminal legal aid
Interference in professional disciplinary processes
The need for sufficient powers and a stronger approach to enforcement
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC)
The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC)
The need for adequate resources
7 The need for a culture of human rights
Public attitudes towards human rights, and differences across the UK
Media reporting of human rights
Human rights culture in public authorities
The role of human rights education and public legal education
Conclusions and recommendations
Annex 1: Human Rights powers of the UK’s National Human Rights Commissions
Declaration of Lords’ Interests
List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament
Published: 19 July 2018