Happiness Pursued: A Celebration of Ten Years of the Human Rights Act
ARE BRITS (FINALLY) MORE HUMANE THAN YANKS?
An Exploratory Encounter
Organised By:
THE CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS,
NOTRE DAME LAW SCHOOL, USA, AND
THE HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, UK
NOTRE DAME LAW CENTRE, ONE SUFFOLK STREET, LONDON
9.00AM TO 7.00PM, 20 OCTOBER 2010
The HRA entered into force in October 2000. The Act’s careful scheme, which protects human rights whilst preserving Parliamentary Sovereignty, has transformed and enhanced the UK system of government.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the HRA and its global value, the HRLA and the Center for Civil and Human Rights of the University of Notre Dame are holding an event at Notre Dame’s London Law Centre to compare the approaches of the UK and USA to protecting certain fundamental human rights. Over two centuries ago the American colonies broke away from the ‘mother country’ in pursuit of happiness premised upon standards akin to human rights. For at least a century we have looked to the US as a model for a rights based approach to government. Now that the UK has belatedly followed suit, are notions of liberty, dignity and fairness better protected through UK law than US?
This day long event will explore the responses of both the UK and US to the following: fair trial and security; affirmative action and equality duties; libel and defamation; and domestic application of international human right standards. Each session will have a UK and US speaker. A moderator will then draw out issues for debate. There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion. In the early evening Lady Hale of Richmond, Justice of the Supreme Court, will reflect upon the first year of the UK’s Supreme Court. Is it adopting a role more akin to the US Supreme Court?
All are welcome to come and engage with the ideas that will be discussed at this original and thought-provoking debate. UK speakers and moderators include Lord Lester QC, Karon Monaghan QC, Tim Otty QC, Lord Macdonald QC, Ulele Burnham, Fraser Campbell and Robert Dougans.
In the evening, following the talk on the Supreme Court, there will be a drinks reception, to which all are invited.
The event is informal and participants are more than welcome to attend only part of the day. Full details of the programme can be found at HRLA’s website (www.hrla.org.uk).
There is no charge for this event, but attendees are asked to pre-register.
To reserve your place please contact: Ms. Jody Klontz at jlontz@nd.edu.
CPD points are available
Programme:
| 8.30am | Registration, continental breakfast |
| 9.10am |
Welcoming Remarks: Professor Geoffrey Bennett, Director, London Law Programme, Notre Dame Law School Jonathan Cooper, Doughty Street Chambers, Human Rights Law Association Professor Douglass Cassel, Director, Center for Civil and Human Rights, Notre Dame Law School |
| 9.30am |
Freedom of Expression Panel Moderator: Robert Dougans, Bryan Cave LLP, London British Panelist: Lord Lester QC, Blackstone Chambers (25 minutes) American Panelist: Professor John Nagle, Notre Dame Law School (25 minutes) Comment by Moderator (10 minutes) Q & A (40 minutes) |
| 11.10am | Break |
| 11.20am |
Fair Trial Panel Moderator: Lord Macdonald QC, Matrix Chambers British Panelist: Tim Otty QC, Blackstone Chambers (25 minutes) American Panelist: Tom Durkin, Chicago, Member of the Advisory Committee of the Center for Civil and Human Rights and counsel to Guantanamo defendants (25 minutes) Comment by Moderator: (10 minutes) Q & A: (40 minutes) |
| 1.00pm | Lunch |
| 2.00pm |
Equality Panel Moderator: Karon Monaghan QC, Matrix Chambers British Panelist: Ulele Burnham, Doughty Street Chambers (25 minutes) American Panelist: Professor Douglass Cassel, Notre Dame Law School (25 minutes) Comment by Moderator (10 minutes) Q & A: (40 minutes) |
| 3.40pm | Break |
| 4.00pm |
Domestic Implementation Panel Moderator: Professor Christine Venter, Notre Dame Law School British Panelist: Fraser Campbell, Blackstone Chambers (25 minutes) American Panelist: Professor Mary Ellen O’Connell, Notre Dame Law School (25 minutes) Comment by Moderator (10 minutes) Q & A: (20 minutes) |
| 5.20pm | Plenary Panel |
| 5.50pm | Break |
| 6.00pm | Lady Hale of Richmond, Justice of the Supreme Court: Reflections on the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom’s First Year |
| 6.30pm | Q & A |
| 7.00pm | Reception for all attendees |
| 8.00pm | Dinner for speakers and organisers at the Oxford and Cambridge Club |