Practice Directions

President's Direction on the Human Rights Act 1998 (24 July 2000)

 1.It is directed that the following practice shall apply as from the 2nd October 2000 in all fmaily proceedings:

2.When an authority referred to in section 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998 ("the Act") is to be cited at a hearing:

(a) the authority to be cited shall be an authoritative and complete report;

(b) the court must be provided with a list of authorities it is intended to cite and copies of the reports:-

(i) in cases to which the President’s Direction (Court Bundles) dated 10th March 2000 applies, as part of the bundle;

(ii) otherwise, not less than 2 clear days before the hearing, and

(c)copies of the complete original texts issued by the European Court and Commission, either paper based or from the Court’s judgment database (HUDOC) which is available on the internet, may be used.

3.  (1)The hearing and determination of the following will be confined to a High Court Judge:

(a) a claim for a declaration of incompatibility under section 4 of the Act; or

(b) an issue which may lead to the court considering making such a declaration.

(2)The hearing and determination of a claim made under the Act in respect of a judicial act shall be confined in the High Court to a High Court Judge and in county courts to a circuit judge.
Issued with the concurrence and approval of the Lord Chancellor.

Elizabeth Butler-Sloss
President