The Human Rights Law Conference 2010

PROGRAMME

9.00	REGISTRATION
9.30	MORNING PLENARY SESSION Chaired by Jennifer McDermott, Withers LLP Introduction from the chair KEYNOTE SPEECH Lord Justice Sedley, Lord Justice of Appeal
10:00	REVIEW OF THE YEAR Monica Carss-Frisk QC, Blackstone Chambers A thorough analysis of all the significant developments over the past year, from a leading expert hailed as ‘a frankly superb practitioner’ by Chambers Directory.
10.30	DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS
11.00	COFFEE BREA K
11.15	MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS (please choose one session from the following four) 1. CRIMINAL LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE Alex Bailin QC, Matrix Chambers Peter Binning, Corker Binning This session provides an overview of key cases and legislative developments in the field of criminal law and human rights. It covers the key decisions of the Courts, and analyses the impact of the Crime and Security Act 2010. 2. THE EQUALITY ACT 2010 Ulele Burnham, Doughty Street Chambers John Wadham, Equality and Human Rights Commission After many years of consultation, the Equality Act 2010 became law in April this year, bringing together a host of existing equality provisions with a number of new measures. This session looks in detail at some of the Act’s key features, as well as some of the changes introduced during its passage through Parliament. 3. THE NEW LAW ON INQUESTS Alison Macdonald, Matrix Chambers Deborah Coles, IN QUEST The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 introduced a comprehensive overhaul of the law relating to inquests, including controversial provisions allowing inquiries involving secret evidence to be held in place of an inquest in sensitive cases. This session looks at the current law, the latest case-law and examines how the legislation will operate in practice. 4. AFTER LISBON: HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE EU Marie Demetriou, Brick Court Chambers Professor Paul Craig, University of Oxford Among other things, the Lisbon Treaty introduces the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights and allows for the EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights. The UK has negotiated a series of opt-outs from the impact of the Charter. What is the likely impact of the Lisbon Treaty on UK law, including the relationship between the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg?
12.45	LUNCH
13.45	AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS (please choose one session from the following four) 5. JUDICIAL REVIEW AND HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE Helen Mountfield QC, Matrix Chambers Angus McCullough QC, 1 Crown Office Row This session provides an overview of key cases and legislative developments in the field of public law, judicial review and human rights. 6. THE INDEPENDENT POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMISSION Deborah Glass, Deputy Chair, Independent Police Complaints Commission Stephen Cragg, Doughty Street Chambers During its six years of operation, the IPCC has had to address a number of controversial cases, including the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests. This session examines the work of the IPCC, including recent cases and legal challenges to the scope of its investigations. 7. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN THE WORKPLACE Robin Allen QC, Cloisters Professor Aileen McColgan, King’s College London Article 9 ECHR guarantees everyone the freedom of thought, conscience and religion. However, the right is not absolute and the issue of religious freedom in the public sphere continues to attract controversy in cases such as Eweida v British Airways and Ladele v London Borough of Islington. This session examines the content of the right in the important context of employment. 8. IS THERE A RIGHT TO REPUTATION? Heather Rogers QC, Doughty Street Chambers Padraig Reidy, Index on Censorship Having gained a reputation as the libel capital of the world, the English law on defamation is now subject to increasing domestic criticism. The new government has promised a ‘review of libel laws to protect freedom of speech’. This session considers the state of the current law, and proposed changes, in light of the broader relationship between the right to respect for private life under Article 8 ECHR and the right to freedom of expression under Article 10 ECHR.
15.15	TEA BREAK
15.30	AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION: HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER THE NEW GOVERNMENT Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC The new government has promised ‘a full programme of measures to reverse the substantial erosion of civil liberties’. Plans include scrapping ID cards; extending the Freedom of Information Act; protecting jury trial and the right to protest; regulating CC TV and storage of internet and email records; enhanced protection of the DNA database; and safeguarding against misuse of anti-terrorism legislation. Ten years after the Human Rights Act came into force, is human rights law entering a new era? An assessment of the government’s first six months in office and its future plans. Followed by discussion and analysis from a panel of experts.
16.00	PANEL DISCUSSION Chaired by Roger Smith, JUSTICE Dominic Raab MP, Joint Committee on Human Rights Gareth Peirce, Birnberg Peirce Professor Francesca Klug, LSE
17.00	CLOSE

Please note that the programme is subject to change without notice