It was noted above that the European Convention on Human Rights, art 6(1) has been interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights as providing a right of effective access to a court which can only be restricted if it pursues a legitimate aim and is proportionate. In Matthews v Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions [2001] EWHC Admin 851, a six-week time limit on appeals against the decision of a planning inspector was held to satisfy these requirements. It pursued the legitimate aim of certainty and finality and was not so short as to deprive appellants of a reasonable opportunity to challenge a decision.