The Article applies not only to the content of education. A possible instance is local authority tenants taking legal action against the authority because it has not protected them against anti-social neighbours. In such cases, AI and other human rights organisations may seek to make submissions to the courts or even intervene in cases, as Amnesty International did in the Pinochet extradition litigation. The Act requires 'public authorities' to exercise their powers in a manner that respects the rights set out in the Convention. Public authorities include government departments, local authorities, police, prisons, the Inland Revenue and the National Health Service.
Courts are also public authorities.
If a UK court cannot reconcile an Act of the UK Parliament with Convention rights, the legislation prevails. Designated higher courts can declare that such an Act is incompatible with the Convention and thereby trigger a fast track procedure established by the Human Rights Act for Parliament to amend the law. If a court cannot reconcile 'delegated' or subordinate legislation with Convention rights, it can decide that the legislation does not apply. Delegated legislation means laws made under the authority of an Act of Parliament and includes Acts of the Scottish Parliament and of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Unlike the Parliament at Westminster, the Scottish Parliament and the assemblies in Northern Ireland and Wales are required to comply with the Convention.