This text investigates the practical application and legal interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights within the framework of international law. The author, J.E.S. Fawcett, utilizes his extensive background in international jurisprudence to analyze how the Convention functions as a living instrument. The work provides a systematic examination of the articles, case law, and procedural mechanisms that define the relationship between the European Commission of Human Rights and the signatory states.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the early implementation of the European Convention. Readers note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a comprehensive reference for those studying the evolution of international human rights law.