Introduction: Introduced in late 1998 in the United Kingdom, the Human Rights Act, partially reproduced here, incorporated into national law the European Convention on Human Rights. The Act gave the courts in England and Wales the right to enforce civil and political rights. Beyond the courts, the Act bound all public authorities to work in compliance with the Convention.

An Act to give further effect to rights and freedoms guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights; to make provision with respect to holders of certain judicial offices who become judges of the European Court of Human Rights; and for connected purposes. [9th November 1998]

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority...