Illegal Migration Bill amendment and rule of law

If the UK were to refuse to comply with a European Court of Human Rights ruling this would entail a clear and serious breach of international law.

Responding to news the government intends to table an amendment to the Illegal Migration Bill enabling it to ignore rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) – known as interim measures – our vice president Richard Atkinson said:

“If the UK were to refuse to comply with a European Court of Human Rights ruling this would entail a clear and serious breach of international law.

“The rule of law means governments respect and follow domestic and international law and disputes are ruled on by independent courts.

“This amendment would undermine the global rules-based order, set a dangerous precedent within the international community and damage the UK’s standing in the world.

“For all these reasons the Law Society would be unequivocally opposed to such an amendment.”

Notes to editors

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