Right to a fair trial dominates cases taken to civil courts

The majority of cases taken to the civil courts under the Human Rights Act concern the right to a fair trial, according to the Court of Appeal civil division's annual report.Of the 141 appeals that included human rights points in the past year, the second largest category dealt with article 8 points, the right to a private life.

A further 107 appeals raising human rights points are pending.In his introduction, the Master of the Rolls, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, said: 'For me, the most notable effect of the Act is that it has brought about an almost immediate change in legal culture...

both lawyers and judges now look at all cases with the possible impact of the convention well in mind.'Meanwhile, Scotland's justice minister Jim Wallace this week announced plans for a human rights commission, fuelling long-standing calls for a similar body in England and Wales; Northern Ireland already has such a commission.

'We need a human rights commission to drive forward essential improvements in rights protections in this country,' said Liberty director John Wadham.Victoria MacCallum