The Human Rights Act, 1998 was enacted with an objective to give further effect to the rights contained in the European Convention on human rights, in the UK law. The 1998 Act has given effect to various rights guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. In addition to this, the decisions of the European Court and Commission have been made relevant to all decisions about Convention rights. All United Kingdom Legislation, whenever passed, must, if possible, be interpreted so as to be compatible with the Convention. Any act or manner of act of a public authority which is incompatible with a Convention right has been made unlawful. The courts have been given power to award remedies for breaches of Convention rights. Prior to the enactment of the Human Rights Act, an action for the breach of human right could only be brought directly before the European Court. The provision of death penalty in UK law has also been abolished by the 1998 Act. The jurisdiction of the Human Rights Act extends to all public bodies within the United Kingdom which includes central government, local authorities and other bodies exercising public functions. The Act also applies to Courts. However, Parliament is not included when it is acting in its legislative capacity.
