Monday, April 18, 2016

Conference: The Rule of Law, The European Court of Human Rights and the UK: A New Court for a New Era?

On April 20, 2016, the British Institute of International and Comparative Law will host a conference on "The Rule of Law, The European Court of Human Rights and the UK: A New Court for a New Era?" The program is here. Here's the idea:

It may be argued that, in the light of the Interlaken-Izmir-Brighton-Brussels reform process, the European Court of Human Rights/Convention system has reshaped itself significantly over the last 5 or so years, possibly reflecting a new distribution of powers between Strasbourg and the member states. This may or may not be a good thing. Does it reflect a natural evolution of the Convention system, or the necessary adjustments required of a Court that is under pressure and strain?

This half-day event, held on the fourth anniversary of the Brighton Declaration of April 2012, will provide opportunity to hear leading experts consider how the Strasbourg Court has evolved in recent years, and reflect upon its longer-term future. Speakers will also consider how the reform process might inform debate in the UK about the European Court/Convention system and a possible British Bill of Rights.

Part one of the event will address how the Court has evolved in recent years, in terms of the approach it adopts to resolving certain cases on their substantive merits. Part two looks more specifically at the reform process initiated at Interlaken and Brighton. A focal point will be the CDDH's report of the 'Longer-term Future of the system of the European Convention on Human Rights', and its implications.