Privacy and Freedom of Expression

This book is a reprint of the Chapters on Privacy and Freedom of Expression from the authors’ major practitioner text, The Law of Human Rights; its separate publication in this form is intended to make it accessible to those who might not want to buy the larger work. It provides a comprehensive and systematic treatment of human rights law and practice in the UK in relation to privacy and freedom of expression, including detailed analysis of the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998. The book is in two sections: relating to privacy and freedom of expression respectively. Each section contains a discussion of the pre-existing status of the right in English law, a thorough analysis of the European Convention case law, and full examination of the likely impact of incorporation on English law. This impact is considered in relation to the applicable general principles but also in respect of a number of specific subject areas, including business and commerce, criminal law and justice, education, employment, immigration, media, mental health, police and prisoners. Each section has detailed appendices drawing out lessons from the experience under the Canadian Charter and the New Zealand Bill of Rights as well as discussion of the relevant right in other jurisdictions. It is the only book which provides such a detailed analysis of these two important rights, and is likely to be of particular interest to media lawyers and practitioners, as well as to those practising in employment and criminal law.