This practice note explains the rule under section 3 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA 1998) that, so far as possible, legislation must be read and given effect in a way compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The note explains, the scope of the rule and how it applies to various types of legislation; the approach of the courts to its application; and the limits of what kinds of interpretation are "possible" to achieve human rights compliance.