Rights in the UK

• What are civil liberties?

  The rights that a citizen has
• Name one example of a civil liberty.

  Freedom of speech
• What is another example of a civil liberty?

  Freedom of religion
• What is the right to a fair trial?

  A civil liberty ensuring legal proceedings are conducted fairly
• What is the nature of the contract between citizens and the state according to John Locke?

  Citizens enter a voluntary contract for rights protection in exchange for duties
• What are legal duties that citizens have?

  Obeying the law, paying tax, attending jury duty
• What are moral duties that citizens have?

  Voting, protecting the environment
• What are the two types of rights that people have?

  Positive rights and negative rights
• What are positive rights?

  Rights that are clearly expressed as part of legislation
• What are negative rights?

  Rights that exist because no legislation bans or removes them
• What is the Magna Carta?

  The first statement of rights in the UK
• What principle did the Magna Carta establish?

  The idea of the rule of law
• What does the Magna Carta state about free men?

  No free man shall be seized or imprisoned without lawful judgement
• What is the Human Rights Act of 1998?

  It incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law
• What can citizens do under the Human Rights Act?

  Challenge laws in UK courts
• What is a 'declaration of incompatibility'?

  A UK court's statement that pressures the government on a legal issue
• What does the Freedom of Information Act (2000) allow citizens to do?

  Access files from any government body
• What are the exceptions to the Freedom of Information Act?

  Information that affects national security and other major exceptions
• What does the Equality Act (2010) prohibit?

  Discrimination in 9 specified areas
• What are the 9 areas in which the Equality Act (2010) prohibits discrimination?

  • Religion
  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage/civil partnership
  • Pregnancy/maternity
  • Belief
  • Race
  • Sexual orientation
• What year was the Human Rights Act enacted?

  1998
• What year was the Freedom of Information Act enacted?

  2000
• What year was the Equality Act enacted?

  2010
• What is the significance of the rule of law established by the Magna Carta?

  It ensures that everyone is subject to the law
• What is judicial review in the UK?

  It is the review of government decisions to ensure they are lawful.
• What does it mean if a government action is described as ultra vires?

  It means the action has acted beyond its power.
• Who can request a judicial review?

  Anyone can request a judicial review.
• What are the three reasons for requesting a judicial review?

  1. Authority has been exceeded.
  2. Procedural impropriety.
  3. Acting irrationally or unreasonably.
• What does common law refer to?

  Common law refers to rules established by judges that have the force of law.
• How does statute law relate to common law in the UK?

  Statute law takes precedence over common law.
• What happened to the common law right to hunt with foxes?

  It was supplanted by statute law.
• Are our rights protected

  
• What is one of the threats to civil liberties in the UK related to surveillance?

  The UK has an extensive CCTV network, with roughly one camera for 14 people.
• How does the stop and search policy in the UK affect civil liberties?

  Police can stop any person without having to record the reason for the stop.
• What is a potential conflict between laws against racial or religious hatred and civil liberties in the UK?

  These laws can be seen to undermine freedom of speech.
• How are political demonstrations affected by police actions in the UK?

  Police are using public order laws to prevent large protests.
• What is the role of pressure groups in upholding rights in the UK?

  • They advocate for civil liberties and rights.
  • They challenge government policies and laws.
  • They raise public awareness about civil rights issues.
• What was the outcome of Liberty's efforts regarding 'secret courts' in 2013?

  Liberty failed to stop the introduction of 'secret courts'.
• What do 'secret courts' allow in terms of legal proceedings?

  They permit terrorist suspects and major criminals to be tried without full disclosure of evidence against them.
• What significant ruling did the Howard League for Penal Reform achieve in 2014?

  They secured a High Court ruling that obliged the government to drop its ban on prisoners’ families sending books to them.