The Human Rights Act becomes law in Scotland and England in the near future. Judges will be able to interpret this law along with the European Convention on Human Rights.

The new Act FINALLY makes judges balance conflicting rights, such as privacy and freedom of expression.

John Wadham, director of the human rights group Liberty, said: "Judges will have to take off their jackets and roll up their sleeves and second-guess whether the intentions of the Home Secretary were right in a particular decision."

Lord Irvine of Lairg has said that judges must now analyze the "substance" and not just the letter of the law.

Westminster will now have to tread carefully when it appears to be manhandling issues regarding Scottish sovereignty as the aspirations of the Scottish people will have formidable legal backing every time they are voiced.