Convention rights

Produced in partnership with Alexander Campbell of Cornerstone Barristers

Practice notes

Convention rights

Produced in partnership with Alexander Campbell of Cornerstone Barristers

Practice notes

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was adopted by the Council of Europe in 1950. The ECHR sets out the rights and freedoms which the contracting parties are required to respect and secure to everyone in their jurisdiction, including rights to:

•
life
•
freedom from torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
•
freedom from slavery and forced or compulsory labour
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liberty and security of the person
•
a fair trial
•
prohibition of retroactive penal legislation
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private and family life, home and correspondence
•
freedom of thought, conscience and religion
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freedom of expression
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freedom of assembly and association
•
marry and found a family
•
an effective remedy for a violation of the rights—this right is not incorporated into UK law by Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA 1998)
•
freedom from Discrimination in respect of specific rights and freedoms

These rights are defined in the main Articles to the ECHR and are enhanced by a series of Protocols covering a range of further issues, including:

•
peaceful enjoyment of possessions
•
education

Alexander Campbell

Barrister, Cornerstone Barristers

Alex is a skilful and experienced barrister whose practice primarily spans issues of public law and property law. Alex’s experience of complex public law issues including human rights, equality issues makes him extremely well-placed to assist clients in litigation across the many fields of law in which these issues arise.

Alex has been praised by judges as an 'excellent’ advocate, for his ‘forensic precision’ in approaching cases and has been described as ‘an expert’ in his fields of practice. He is well-liked by clients for his approachable manner and for his ability to bring clarity to complex cases. He is ranked in Chambers and Partners 2018 and is described as a ‘rising junior with a growing reputation’.

Alex was called to the Bar after an exceptionally strong academic background. Alex holds a law degree from Trinity College, Cambridge and was awarded multiple prizes for his academic performance whilst there. He holds a Master’s degree in French Law from France’s most prestigious law school, l’Université de Paris II – Panthéon-Assas, and a Master’s degree with distinction in public law and human rights from University College London. Alex has been the recipient of a prestigious Pegasus Scholarship under which he spent time working as a barrister in Paris.

Alex writes regularly in legal publications in his areas of practice online, in journals and books.

Jurisdiction(s):

United Kingdom

Key definition:

Discrimination definition

What does Discrimination mean?

It is unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of sex, marital status, civil partner status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability and age.

Convention rights

Produced in partnership with Alexander Campbell of Cornerstone Barristers

Convention rights

Produced in partnership with Alexander Campbell of Cornerstone Barristers

Barrister, Cornerstone Barristers

Key definition:

Discrimination definition

What does Discrimination mean?

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