Lady Brenda Hale delivers Annual Human Rights Lecture

Lady Brenda Hale, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Hale of Richmond DBE, has given the keynote address at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s Annual Human Rights Lecture in partnership with the Bar of Northern Ireland.

The event took place in the Royal Courts of Justice and was opened by Lady Chief Justice the Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan. Lady Brenda Hale delivered the keynote address on the topic “Do we really need a British Bill of Rights?”

Speaking at the event, Lady Hale said:

“With the publication of its Bill of Rights Bill, the UK Government is trying to reduce the protection given to human rights in UK law and we must all be alive to the risks and dangers this poses.”

Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick said:

“The Commission is delighted to have the esteemed Lady Hale give the keynote address at our annual Human Rights Lecture. It is an honour to host the first woman to lead the UK’s highest court and hear her insights on the proposed Bill and its wide-reaching implications for the enjoyment and protection of human rights.

“We would also like to thank the Bar of Northern Ireland for their continued support of this event.”

Chair of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland, Bernard Brady QC added:

“It is an honour to welcome Lady Hale once again to the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast for this keynote address.

“It is particularly significant to have Lady Hale, the First Female President of the Supreme Court, welcomed to this jurisdiction by the Lady Chief Justice the Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan, our first female Chief Justice.

“This Annual Human Rights Lecture is taking place at a time when political events and legislative developments have combined to provoke renewed debate and concern about human rights protections.

“This serves as a reminder of the importance of fair, accessible and efficient legal processes, in which individual’s rights are protected and the rule of law absolute.

“We should not lose sight of the rule of law as an unqualified human good.”

This Lecture is a Continuing Professional Development resource for Bar of NI members.

Members can view the event at the CPD Portal.

ENDS

Media contact: media@barlibrary.com