08. The Human Rights Act

The Human Rights Act 1998 covers many different types of discrimination - including some which are not covered by other discrimination laws. However, it can be used only when one of the other ‘articles’ (the specific principles) of the act applies, such as the right to ‘respect for private and family life’.

Also, rights under the act can only be used against a public authority (for example, the police, a local council or Jobcentre Plus), and not a private company. However, court decisions on discrimination will generally have to take into account what the Human Rights Act says.