Is the Human Rights (Jersey) Law 2000 delivering on its promise?

This research report evaluates the Human Rights (Jersey) Law 2000 (HRJL), assessing its performance 18 years after coming into force. The HRJL was enacted to enable islanders to enforce European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) rights locally, align government action and legislation with ECHR standards, and maintain legislative supremacy. While references to ECHR rights are now common in Jersey courts, legal and financial barriers persist. Few challenges to public authority decisions have succeeded, and women are notably underrepresented among litigants. A limited number of laws have been found incompatible with ECHR rights, though broader compliance is assumed. However, institutional practices, particularly in the States Assembly, lack systematic human rights scrutiny. Public legal education on ECHR rights is minimal, and political discourse has declined. Civil society engagement remains modest, and human rights rarely feature in electoral debate. Despite its successes, the HRJL risks becoming a static framework rather than a dynamic force in Jersey’s democracy. The report calls for renewed attention to access to justice, public awareness, and political oversight. These findings complement the Jersey Law Commission’s ongoing consultation on strengthening the HRJL, with recommendations to be finalised in 2026. Further research is recommended to explore barriers, institutional culture, and public attitudes.