1.1

INTRODUCTION

All Magistrates have now undertaken the general training on the Human Rights Act 1998. The purpose of the course is to build on this introduction. During the course not only will we explore some of the main provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights in so far as they apply to criminal trials, but we will also take into account decisions and developments since the HRA came into force. As Lord Hope observed in ‘the development of our jurisprudence on the HRA has only just begun … new problems are being revealed every week if not every day.’ _R v. Kansal _[2001] UKHL 62, para. 52.

It will therefore be useful to begin with a little revision. Section One is a self-test by way of a reminder of the main provisions of the Act. Read the question, jot down the outline of an answer then check it against the concealed answer.