ABSTRACT
Giving people legal rights is one thing: making those rights work effectively for the benefit of the individual, the community and society at large is a separate and bigger issue. In the United Kingdom the Human Rights Act (HRA) came into force in October 2000. The very term 'Human Rights' delivers a powerful and positive message. This is legislation aimed to protect citizens from the abuse of state power and sustain the basic features of a democratic society. We know that the HRA has and continues to be employed by the few specialist human rights banisters' chambers and London based pressure groups. On the other hand, the rich and powerful also use the Act, for example, to protect their privacy. Within this depressing context the HRA has had very little effect or take-up by the legal profession. New challenges and opportunities emerge and within this context the Human Rights Act remains open for debate and employment.
