SENIOR representatives of City law firms have become the latest figures to speak out against the Tories’ Bill of Rights, warning the reforms would be “bad for business.” 

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has said the Bill will return to Parliament in the “coming weeks” after it was shelved by former PM Liz Truss in September.  

The proposed legislation seeks to replace the Human Rights Act, reducing the influence of the European Court of Human Rights in British courts. 

Law Society director of strategic relationships Stephen Denyer said he had spoken to more than 30 large City law firms and representatives of City stakeholders about the impact of the Bill on businesses. 

“Overall, the people I have spoken to have expressed considerable concern about the unintended consequences of some of the provisions of the Bill,” he said. 

He explained that provisions to change the relationship between the courts and Parliament could be viewed by businesses as “removing legal protections they use to protect their rights when dealing with the state.”

The potential for increased divergence between the ECHR and British courts could also have a negative impact on economic competitiveness, Mr Denyer added.

“Global businesses would view the UK as a riskier place to invest and do business,” he explained. 

Liberty policy and campaigns officer Charlie Whelton said the opposition from businesses might finally force the government to scrap the plans, which have been condemned by a a wide range of figures from distinguished  former judges to military figures. 

“Put simply, this is a Rights Removal Bill,” he said. “It is not just bad for business, it is bad for everyone — from the public who will lose vital protections, to the courts being interfered with from Westminster to Parliament ceding necessary powers to safeguard human rights, and businesses being denied the certainty and stability they need to operate. 
 
“The government has refused to listen to human rights experts, judges, thousands of respondents to their own consultation, health workers, military figures and victims and families who would be denied justice under this new Bill. 

“Maybe now they will listen to businesses, scrap these plans, and retain our Human Rights Act.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson insisted that there was “nothing” in the Bill to “undermine business’ existing rights.”