Law, Regulation, and Rights: Reflections on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

AbstractChapter 13 reflects on the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of law and regulation in relation to how governments have responded to it. It considers the evolving nature of the pandemic and the potential contributions of law and regulation to living with the ongoing presence of COVID-19. It draws together the themes of the book, and considers each of them in turn, namely: layers of law and polycentricity, the role and scope of law, legal responses to risk, human rights, and civil law and regulatory obligations. This chapter identifies lessons that can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic for tackling global health crises in the future and, in particular, so that responses to the next pandemic can be quicker and more effective. It also considers the potential role that might be played by a pandemic treaty.