The central provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 had no binding effect until they were brought into force and became part of domestic law, and so did not give rise to any legitimate expectation on the part of the respondents that domestic legislation would be construed, or that the Director of Public Prosecutions ('DPP') would act, in accordance with those provisions. In the absence of dishonesty, mala fides or exceptional circumstance, the DPP's decision to consent to the respondents' prosecution was not amenable to judicial review.

HL (Lord Slynn of Hadley, Lord Steyn, Lord Cooke of Thorndon, Lord Hope of Craighead, Lord Hobhouse of Woodborough)

28/10/1999