The UK and Strasbourg: A Strained Relationship - the Long View

This chapter examines relations between the UK and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), given the latter’s capacity to set boundaries to what the former may do in the field of ‘Convention rights’. It adopts a broad, long-term view. The introduction will undertake a brief examination of the current situation, acknowledging the risks of selectivity and generalisation.1Three illustrations of the strained relationship post-2009–10 will be provided, before some general reflections are offered. [Opening Paragraph]