European Court of Human Rights

Lord Laird
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Over the past 12 months, which judgments by the European Court of Human Rights were made against the United Kingdom; which of these cases were not appealed; and what were the reasons for not appealing in each case.[HL6748]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman)
In the past 12 months, judgments finding a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights have been made by a Chamber of the Court against the United Kingdom in the following cases: P.M.; B. and L.; Shannon; Yetkinsekerci; J.A. Pye (Oxford) Ltd.; Yassar Hussein; Grant; and Elahi.

Under the convention there is no right of appeal. However, under Article 43 any party may in exceptional cases request that a case be referred to the Grand Chamber of the Court. The Grand Chamber will accept the request if the case raises a serious issue affecting the interpretation or application of the convention or its protocols, or a serious issue of general importance.

The case of J.A. Pye (Oxford) Ltd has been referred to the Grand Chamber at the request of the Government. In the cases of Grant and Elahi, the time limit for requesting a referral has not yet expired. In the other cases no request was made by the Government, as it was not felt that they came within the criteria set out in Article 43, and/or it was not expected that the Grand Chamber would come to a different conclusion from the Chamber.