Your Politics Guide

Rights in the UK

Citizens rights are a core principle of democracy in the UK, this is because it ensures that individuals are able to participate in the political process without constraint.
The Magna Carta The first document that outlined the powers of the monarch and established certain legal rights for individuals. (1215) was a significant turning point in the development of rights in the UK. It established that anyone, including the monarch, was subject to the law.

There are two types of rights in the UK

Negative rights: the right to be free from interference. For example, the right to privacy.
Positive rights: the right to be provided with certain benefits, such as the right to education or healthcare.

How are rights protected in the UK?

Judicial Review

Judicial review is a review of ministers decisions to ensure that they are lawful.
If a decision is found to be unlawful, it is declared to be ultra vires Refers to when a minister is acting beyond their powers. .
There are three reasons which allows anyone to apply for judicial review: if authority has been exceeded, if procedures have not been followed correctly, or if the decision is irrational.

Common Law

Statute Law

Human Rights Act (1998)

The Human Rights Act incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
It allows for citizens to challenge laws in UK courts as opposed to going to the ECHR.

Are rights in the UK protected?

Yes	No
Human Rights Act 1998 outlines the rights of individuals in the UK.	The Human Rights Act 1998 is not entrenched, meaning that it can be changed.
Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires that the government must disclose information to the public.	The Freedom of Information Act has many exemptions which allow governments to use it in their interest.
The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from discrimination based on characteristics such as age, gender, race, and disability.	Rights such as franchise are not fully protected.