Historical Documents and Legislation protecting rights in the UK

Magna Carta (1215)

Imposed restrictions to prevent the abuse of power by the monarch

Bill of Rights (1689)

Imposed greater limits on power of the monarch as well as the rights of parliament, regular parliaments, free elections and parliamentary free speech

The Representation of the People Act (1918)

gave women the vote over 30 , men no longer need property can vote over 21

The Representation of People (Equal Franchise) Act (1929)

equal franchise to all over 21

Representation of People (1969)

lowered voting age to 18

European Convention on Human Rights (1953)

government actions have to comply with ECHR but can only be challenged in the European Court of Human Rights

European Court of Justice (1973)

has the power to protect workers’ rights in the UK

Data Protection Act (1984)

established protections surrounding personal information held by public institutions

Human Rights Act (1998)

Codified the ECHR into British Law and allowed the UK courts to hear cases concerning the ECHR

Freedom of Information Act (2000)

allows citizens to access any non-security related information held by public institutions

Equality Act (2010)

Consolidated and codified anti-discrimination measures into one document. Creating 9 protected characteristics

Marriage (same-sex couples) Act (2013)

Right to marry for same-sex couples in England and Wales

Coronavirus Act (2020)

Suspension of individual rights such as freedom of movement

aimed at protecting collective rights by limiting the spread of COVID-19

Public Order Act (2023)

police could arrest protestors on suspicion that they might cause undue disorder