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Fundamentals of Human Rights, and Equality: Introduction to Law for Non-lawyers

Learn how UK law safeguards human rights, protects civil liberties, and promotes equality through key legal frameworks.

The 1998 Act of Human Rights as a legal document, with a a judgeaas gavel resting illuminated in the colours of the Union Jack, Red, White & Blue.

Fundamentals of Human Rights, and Equality: Introduction to Law for Non-lawyers

  • 2 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
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    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Explore the protection of civil liberties, human rights, and equality in England

Dive into the foundations of civil liberties and human rights in the UK with this two-week course from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).

You’ll gain an understanding of how these rights are protected under UK law and explore key legal frameworks, including the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA 1998).

With these foundations, you’ll grasp how these instruments safeguard fundamental rights.

Whether you want to enhance your legal knowledge or apply it in your professional role, this course will equip you with the skills to confidently navigate the legal landscape.

You’ll delve into the ways certain laws protecting civil liberties, human rights, and equality operate in practice, helping you understand their impact on society and your workplace.

Assess the Equality Act 2010 and its role in anti-discrimination law

You’ll also learn to identify the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 and assess how the law prevents discrimination in workplaces, public services, and daily life.

With the help of real-world examples, you’ll better understand how the Act has been enforced and challenged in court.

Working through case studies on stop-and-search policies, privacy rights, and protest laws, you’ll hone your ability to analyse the relationship between human rights, police powers, and civil liberties.

You’ll come away with a fully developed understanding of how legal frameworks are applied and debated in modern society, giving you the confidence to apply what you’ve learned in real-time.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Civil Liberties and Human Rights

    • Introduction

      Welcome to the course.

    • Key terms

      Here is some terminology that you need to be familiar with for the topics covered in this course.

    • The ideas of civil liberties and human rights

      It is important to understand the difference between “civil liberties” and “human rights”. While these two ideas are closely related, and the substance of the two frequently overlaps, they represent very different approaches. 

    • The European Convention on Human Rights

      The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was drafted in the aftermath of the Second World War.

    • The Human Rights Act 1998

      HRA 1998 impacts the whole legal system. 

    • Summary and confidence check

      3 key points relating to civil liberties and human rights. Check your confidence in understanding this topic.

    • Knowledge check

      Now for a quick quiz to check your understanding.

  • Week 2

    Police Powers and Equality Act 2010

    • Human rights and civil liberties in relation to police powers

      The powers of the police, and their role in the prevention and detection of criminal activity, poses a challenge to human rights. The law tries to achieve a balance between protection of individual rights, and effective policing.

    • Protecting equality: Equality Act 2010

      The ECHR and HRA 1998 provide some protection against discrimination, but do not provide a comprehensive or systematic approach to this. The UK has separate legislation on equality, the Equality Act 2010.

    • Summary and confidence check

      4 key points relating to police powers and the Equality Act 2010. Check your confidence in understanding this topic.

    • Knowledge check

      Now for a quick quiz to check your understanding.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the distinction between civil liberties and human rights
  • Explore the background of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), it's key Articles and how they have been applied by the courts in practice
  • Investigate key sections of the Human Rights Act 1998 in relation to the creation of legislation and its interpretation by the courts
  • Identify the significance and purpose of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE 1984)
  • Explain the framework of the Equality Act 2010, including the protected characteristics and the main forms of prohibited conduct

Who is the course for?

This course is part of a series for professionals in law-adjacent roles such as HR and legal services who want a clearer understanding of the legal system in The United Kingdom. It’s also ideal for those returning to law after a career break.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

CILEX Logo

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX)

CILEX believes in creating more accessible opportunities to build careers in the legal profession.

By providing a range of flexible routes to qualification, campaigning for better working permissions for CILEX legal professionals, as well as ongoing support and representation for members post-qualification, CILEX is working to build a more inclusive legal sector which ultimately delivers a better service for clients.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 13 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

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  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
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Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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