The number of cases brought in UK courts under the terms of the Human Rights Act has dropped by almost a fifth in the last year, according to new figures released today (16 February).

A report published by Sweet & Maxwell Online shows that cases brought under the terms of the Act, which became law in 1998, dropped by 18% over the last 12 months from 497 in 2004-05 to 394 for the most recent 12-month period.