header-logo header-logo

Human Rights Update

04 October 2007 / Susan Nash
Issue: 7291 / Categories: Features , Human rights
printer mail-detail

SELF INCRIMINATION >>
ADVERSE Possession >>
INHERITANCE TAX >>
MARGIN OF Appreciation >>

RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT

Relying on Art 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the Convention) which guarantees the right to a fair trial, the applicants in O’Halloran v United Kingdom (App No 15809/02); Francis v United Kingdom (App No 25624/02), (2007) The Times, 13 July complained that the nature of information sought by a notice of intended prosecution under the 1988 Road Traffic Act (RTA 1988), s 172 violated their right to remain silent and their privilege against self-incrimination. In both cases the applicants’ cars had been caught on speed camera.

As registered keepers of the vehicles they were served notices of an intention to prosecute and asked for the details of the driver on the relevant occasion, or information which would lead to the driver’s identification. Each applicant was further informed that failing to provide information was a criminal offence under RTA 1988, s 172. Although the first applicant admitted that he was the driver, he complained that his conviction was

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll