Which act requires laws in the UK to conform to the European Convention on Human Rights?

The Human Rights Act 1998 is the legislation that requires UK laws to be compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This act incorporates the rights contained in the ECHR into UK law, allowing individuals in the UK to seek justice in domestic courts for violations of their rights as outlined in the Convention without needing to go to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The act's primary aim is to ensure that public authorities, including the government and local councils, must act in a manner that is consistent with the rights guaranteed by the ECHR. This means that if a UK law is found to be incompatible with the Convention, courts can issue a declaration of incompatibility, prompting the government to amend the law.

Understanding the significance of the Human Rights Act within the context of UK law and its relation to the ECHR is essential for comprehending the framework of human rights protection in the UK.