Short title, commencement, application and extent.

1 This Act may be cited as the Human Rights Act 1998. 2 Sections 18, 20 and 21(5) and this section come into force on the passing of this Act. 3 The other provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint; and different days may be appointed for different purposes. 4 Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 7 applies to proceedings brought by or at the instigation of a public authority whenever the act in question took place; but otherwise that subsection does not apply to an act taking place before the coming into force of that section. 4A Section 7A (limitation: overseas armed forces proceedings) applies to proceedings brought under section 7(1)(a) on or after the date on which section 7A comes into force, whenever the act in question took place. 5 This Act binds the Crown. 6 This Act extends to Northern Ireland. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .