Leigh Day lawyers in collaboration with LJMU and JUSTICE support the Blackmore family to bring human rights laws to life in exhibition at National Museums Liverpool

The event is organised by the Legal Advice Centre at Liverpool John Moores University, marking 75 years since the ECHR. It will take place on Saturday, 1 November 2025 and look at the history and conception of the ECHR, its links to the city of Liverpool, and offer a source of information to visitors about key aspects of the convention.

The event is focused on a song cycle Dreams of Peace & Freedom, which commemorates the creation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The song cycle was written by Sue Casson and is performed by members of the family of David Maxwell Fyfe (the Blackmore family), a key architect of the ECHR. 

The ECHR was adopted into UK law under the Human Rights Act 1998, with Leigh Day one of the first UK law firms then to launch a human rights department. 

Human rights solicitors from the firm’s Liverpool and Manchester offices will participate in the ECHR exhibit in Liverpool as ‘human books’, explaining key rights in the Act and answering questions from visitors. 

Leanne Devine, partner and head of the human rights team in Leigh Day’s Liverpool office, will appear as a human book on Article 2, which protects the right to life. 

Stephanie Hill, human rights partner in Manchester, will appear as article 4, which prohibits slavery and forced labour. 

Article 8, the right to respect for private and family life, will be covered by Leigh Day solicitor Emily Driver, who works on the firm’s human rights team in Liverpool. 

The event will run from 2pm till 4pm, with tickets available here. 

Tyrone Steele, deputy legal director of JUSTICE, said: 

“It’s a privilege to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights at the Museum of Liverpool, the city where it began. Today, those protections remain essential, shaping fairness and accountability in everyday life, from Hillsborough Law to workers’ rights.” 

Michelle Waite, senior lecturer in law at Liverpool John Moores University, said:

"It has been a privilege to work with our partners, Songs of the People, the Museum of Liverpool, Leigh Day and Justice, to develop the ECHR Living Library. I hope we can bring the rights enshrined in the Convention alive and show why, as we celebrate 75 years of the ECHR, they are still relevant and important to people in Liverpool and beyond today."

The Blackmore family said:

"Songs of the People has been a year-long project celebrating the protections of the European Convention on Human Rights during its 75th anniversary. We have been performing Dreams of Peace & Freedom throughout the year in Liverpool where David Maxwell Fyfe was MP for West Derby when he championed and drafted the ECHR.  We are happy to return for this commemorative performance."

Leanne Devine said: 

“Article 2 is the right to life. It is a basic and fundamental right of any human, and that is exactly why it is at the core of so many cases where people have been desperately let down by the state.  

“It is particularly important when considering people who are detained by the state. It protects all of our lives equally, including the lives of victims of domestic abuse, people struggling with their mental health and those in police and prison custody.   

“Article 2 holds public authorities to account, ensuring an enhanced investigation into breaches of the Article 2 duty, where questions from families may be raised and, where necessary, lead to learnings and real change.” 

Stephanie Hill said: 

“Article 4 prohibits slavery and forced labour and is a fundamental human right. While this right may seem like a given in the modern day, there are still many thousands of instances of trafficking, slavery and forced labour across the UK.   

In our work we see many people who have been exploited by others, and who have then been further let down by public authorities. It is impossible to overstate the significant detrimental impact that trafficking, modern slavery and forced labour can have on an individual. 

Article 4 provides meaningful protections against modern slavery, including the identification of victims and specialist support to assist with recovery; punishment of perpetrators of the abuse; and requires that safeguards are in place to reduce the risk of trafficking in the first place. 

We are delighted to be supporting LJMU with this fantastic event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the ECHR and hope to highlight the ongoing importance of these rights.”  

Emily Driver said: 

“Article 8 protects in law our right to respect for private and family lives. In immigration cases, it aims to ensure that children are not separated from their parents, it also gives families the right to visit loved ones in hospitals and care homes and seeks to protect all of us from unrestricted mass surveillance.  

“It is not an absolute right, but Article 8 forms the underlying basis for many fundamental aspects of our lives that many of us can take for granted.”