Leigh Day & Co has represented clients taking their human rights claims to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The European Court of Human Rights was established to interpret and apply the European Convention on Human Rights.

Before the Human Rights Act 1988 was brought into force, individuals could only bring claims for breach of the rights set out in the Convention in the European Court of Human Rights. However since October 2000, the human rights protected by the Convention can be relied upon in domestic Courts.

Before taking a case to the European Court of Human Rights, you must have pursued any proceedings in the UK for breach of your human rights. However, if proceedings were unsuccessful in providing a satisfactory remedy, then an application can be made to the European Court of Human Rights.

Currently Leigh Day & Co is bringing a class action on behalf of care workers and nurses, in the European Court of Human Rights in relation to breaches of articles 6, 8 and 13 of the European Convention of Human Rights, the right to a fair trial, the right to respect for private & family life, and the right to an effective remedy.

We have also previously represented clients bringing cases in relation to violations of other human rights breaches, both before and since the implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998.