Marginalising human rights: breach of the peace, “kettling”, the Human Rights Act and public protest

Fenwick, Helen

Abstract

Discusses House of Lords case law on the police's use of the breach of peace doctrine for mass public protests. Considers: (1) R. (on the application of Laporte) v Chief Constable of Gloucestershire on whether the police had the power to arrest in order to prevent a breach of the peace; and (2) Austin v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on whether the appellant's containment in a police cordon containing mainly demonstrators, to maintain public safety, breached the European Convention on Human Rights 1950 art.5. Comments on whether the abolition of the doctrine in public protest situations is overdue. Notes existing statutory solutions for marches and assemblies.

Citation

Fenwick, H. (2009). Marginalising human rights: breach of the peace, “kettling”, the Human Rights Act and public protest. Public Law, 2009(4), 737-765

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Jan 17, 2012
• Journal: Public Law
• Print ISSN: 0033-3565
• Publisher: Sweet and Maxwell
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2009
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 737-765
• Keywords: Breach of the peace, Demonstrations, Police powers and duties, Right to liberty and security.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1556720
• Publisher URL: http://www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/Catalogue/ProductDetails.aspx?recordid=469&productid=7106