Challenge to resettlement arrangements for population removed from Chagos Islands. Judges: Singh LJ, Carr J Citations: [2019] EWHC 221 (Admin), [2019] WLR(D) 85 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Equality Act 2010 149 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Human Rights, Constitutional Updated: 27 April 2022; Ref: scu.633412
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Reasonable adjustments UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Constructive dismissal Disability discrimination – reasonable adjustments – sections 20 and 21 Equality Act 2010 Unfair dismissal – constructive dismissal – section 95 Employment Rights Act 1996 The Claimant, who had been employed by the Respondent as a Probation Service Officer (‘PSO’) from April 1999, was a … Continue reading Simpson v Secretary of State for Justice: EAT 29 Mar 2018
Lawfulness of Contraceptive advice for Girls The claimant had young daughters. She challenged advice given to doctors by the second respondent allowing them to give contraceptive advice to girls under 16, and the right of the first defendant to act upon that advice. She objected that the advice infringed her rights as a parent, and … Continue reading Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority and Department of Health and Social Security: HL 17 Oct 1985
Sex Discrimination – SEX DISCRIMINATION – Indirect VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION – Detriment A father who wished to take shared parental leave so that his wife could go back to work claimed direct sex discrimination in not being entitled to pay at the higher maternity pay rate for 12 weeks after the 2 weeks compulsory maternity leave … Continue reading Capita Customer Management Ltd v Ali: EAT 11 Apr 2018
EAT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Section 15 DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Reasonable adjustments UNFAIR DISMISSAL -Reasonableness of dismissal Disability discrimination – discrimination by means of unfavourable treatment because of something arising in consequence of disability – section 15 Equality Act 2010 Disability discrimination – discrimination by means of a failure to comply with a duty to make … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Lawrence (Disability Discrimination): EAT 2 Jun 2017
The appellant challenged the finding of discrimination Judges: Gloster VPCA, Underhill LJJ, Sir Patrick Elias Citations: [2017] EWCA Civ 425 Links: Bailii Statutes: Equality Act 2010 13(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Employment, Discrimination Updated: 27 March 2022; Ref: scu.588200
EAT Victimisation Discrimination : Detriment – – Other forms of victimisation The Appellant had brought a successful race discrimination claim against her employer, the First Respondent, in 2007. In 2011 she raised a grievance against two colleagues. The Second Respondent (the First Respondent’s Human Resources Director) decided to intervene in the grievance in part because … Continue reading Lyfar-Cisse v Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Another: EAT 2 Mar 2017
EAT Unfair Dismissal: Constructive Dismissal – RACE DISCRIMINATION – Direct UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES Constructive dismissal – section 95(1)(c) Employment Rights Act 1996 – whether breach of the implied term – Malik and Anor v BCCI SA [1997] ICR 606 HL Race discrimination – sections 13(1), 23 and 136(2) Equality Act 2010 – direct discrimination … Continue reading Sharfudeen v T J Morris Ltd T/A Home Bargains: EAT 3 Mar 2017
Police Obligations to Witnesses is Limited A prosecution witness was murdered by the accused shortly before his trial. The parents of the deceased alleged that the failure of the police to protect their son was a breach of article 2. Held: The House was asked ‘If the police are alerted to a threat that D … Continue reading Hertfordshire Police v Van Colle; Smith v Chief Constable of Sussex Police: HL 30 Jul 2008
Several lone parents challenged the benefits cap, saying that it was discriminatory. Held: (Hale, Kerr LL dissenting) The parents’ appeals failed. The legislation had a clear impact on lone parents and their children. The intention was to encourage claimants back into work. It was said that thus contradicted the other policy of providing no free … Continue reading DA and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 15 May 2019
(Grand Chamber) The police had shot someone suspected of stealing a scooter. The family complained that they had not been given full access to the documents seen by the enquiry into his death. Held: In order to be ‘effective’ as this expression is to be understood in the context of Article 2 of the Convention, … Continue reading Ramsahai and Others v The Netherlands: ECHR 10 Nov 2005
EAT Disability Discrimination – Section 15 DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Justification UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Reasonableness of dismissal Appeal Disability discrimination – unfavourable treatment because of something arising from the consequences of disability – justification – section 15 Equality Act 2010 (‘EqA’) The Claimant – Head of English at a secondary comprehensive school operated by the Respondent … Continue reading City of York Council v Grosset: EAT 1 Nov 2016
EAT (Disability Discrimination : Exclusions/Jurisdictions) The first Employment Tribunal determined the Appellant was not a disabled person by reason of his hearing impairment. The second Employment Tribunal (following remission) determined the Appellant was a disabled person having regard to his left shoulder impairment, but that the cumulative effect of his hearing condition together with his … Continue reading Mefful v Merton and Lambeth Citizens Advice Bureau: EAT 6 Oct 2016
EAT Race Discrimination: Indirect – JURISDICTIONAL POINTS – Extension of time: just and equitable Indirect race discrimination – claim in time – continuing act – section 123(3) Equality Act 2010 – just and equitable extension of time The Respondent had operated an indirectly discriminatory policy of under-paying those with ’employability issues’ – effectively where it … Continue reading Fairlead Maritime Ltd v Parsoya: EAT 30 Oct 2016
The claimant appealed against rejection of his claims for unfair dismissal and otherwise. The union appealed against a finding in favour of the claim for discrimination (and otherwise) on account of his religion or belief, namely ‘left wing democratic socialism’. At the EAT all claims were dismissed. Underhill, Briggs LJJ [2016] EWCA Civ 1049 Bailii … Continue reading Henderson v The General Municipal and Boilermakers Union: CA 11 Oct 2016
The court was asked whether nurses could properly involve themselves in a pregnancy termination procedure not known when the Act was passed, and in particular, whether a pregnancy was ‘terminated by a medical practitioner’, when it was carried out by nurses acting on the instructions of such a practitioner. Held: The phrase ‘treatment for the … Continue reading Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom v Department of Health and Social Security: HL 2 Jan 1981
The court was aked what article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights requires of a coroner when a serving prisoner dies of natural causes. Held: The reuest for judicial review failed. Mr Tyrrell’s death was, from the outset, one which was clearly from natural causes. The cause of death was established and then … Continue reading Tyrrell v HM Senior Coroner County Durham and Darlington and Another: Admn 26 Jul 2016
The claimants had been brought here illegally to act as servants for the defendants. They were taken advantage of and abused. They made several claims, but now appealed against rejection of their claims for discrimination. The court was asked whether discrimination because of, or on grounds of, immigration status amounts to discrimination because of, or … Continue reading Taiwo and Another v Olaigbe and Others: SC 22 Jun 2016
EAT HARASSMENT – Conduct HARASSMENT – Purpose Equality Act 2010 sections 13(1), 23 and 26 In circumstances in which the Claimant had been instructed not to speak Russian in the workplace, had the Employment Tribunal erred in dismissing her claims of direct race (national origins) discrimination and/or harassment related to her race (national origins)? Held: … Continue reading Kelly v Covance Laboratories Ltd (Race Discrimination: Direct): EAT 20 Oct 2015
The claimants sought a fuller inquest into deaths at the hands of the British Army in 1990 in Northern Ireland. On opening the inquest, the coroner had declined to undertake to hold a hearing compliant with article 2, and it had not made progress. The applicants believed this would require a further investigation of the … Continue reading McCaughey and Another, Re Application forJudicial Review: SC 18 May 2011
Wrong assumptions made by police officers in the killing of terrorists amounted to a human rights breach, despite the existence of danger to the public of an imminent attack. Article 2(1) is ‘one of the most fundamental provisions in the Convention’. It would have been incumbent on the state to conduct a ‘thorough, impartial and … Continue reading McCann and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 6 Oct 1995
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (estoppel) ; Violation of Art. 2 with regard to deaths ; Violation of Art. 2 with regard to lack of effective investigation ; Not necessary to examine Art. 2 with regard to the general obligation to protect life ; No separate issue under Art. 13 ; … Continue reading Nachova and Others v Bulgaria: ECHR 6 Jul 2005
The deceased had committed suicide in prison. His family felt that the risk should have been known to the prison authorities, and that they had failed to guard against that risk. The coroner had requested an explanatory note from the jury. Held: The jury should indeed have been given opportunity to explain their verdict: ‘By … Continue reading Middleton, Regina (on the Application of) v Coroner for the Western District of Somerset: HL 11 Mar 2004
A public authority, and the Prison Service in particular, is free, within the limits of rationality, to decide on any policy as to how to exercise its discretions; it is entitled to change its policy from time to time for the future, and a person whose case falls within the scope of the policy is … Continue reading In Re Findlay, in re Hogben: HL 1985
The applicants had had their requests for asylum refused. They complained that if they were removed from the UK, their article 3 rights would be infringed. If they were returned to Pakistan or Vietnam they would be persecuted for their religious faiths. Held: A distinction was to be made between domestic cases involving actions within … Continue reading Regina v Special Adjudicator ex parte Ullah; Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 17 Jun 2004
EAT (Practice and Procedure: Striking-Out/Dismissal) UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES AGE DISCRIMINATION The ET struck out the Claimant’s claims of unauthorised deductions and age discrimination after receiving written submissions from the parties. Specifically, it found the Respondent’s only contractual obligation was to provide an insured long-term disability scheme, the benefits to be provided by the insurer … Continue reading Smith v Gartner UK Ltd: EAT 8 Mar 2016
[2019] EWHC 24 (QB) Bailii Equality Act 2010 England and Wales Housing, Discrimination Updated: 08 January 2022; Ref: scu.632720
EAT Unfair Dismissal: Reason for Dismissal Including Substantial Other Reason – DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Disability related discrimination – CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT – Wrongful dismissal The Employment Tribunal was entitled to find that the Claimant’s dismissal, albeit procedurally unfair, was substantively fair by reason of his misconduct, notwithstanding a separate finding that his demotion constituted discrimination … Continue reading Rochford v WNS Global Services (UK) Ltd and Others: EAT 24 Sep 2015
EAT AGE DISCRIMINATION – On a Preliminary Hearing to determine whether the Employment Tribunal has jurisdiction to hear age discrimination claims by pensioners that they were not paid lump sums in respect of a change in the basis for pension increases which were made to current employees, the Employment Judge failed to consider whether the … Continue reading Ford Motor Company Ltd v Elliott and Others: EAT 24 Sep 2015
EAT Disability Discrimination: Disability – The Claimant claimed to have been disabled by reason of suffering cognitive impairment and memory loss. The medical evidence was at best equivocal and evidence from lay witnesses was conflicting. The Employment Tribunal had given itself a proper direction as to the law, and was not satisfied that the Claimant … Continue reading May v Secretary of State for Transport: EAT 22 Jun 2015
In each case the local authority sought to recover possession of its own land. In the Lambeth case, they asserted this right as against an overstaying former tenant, and in the Leeds case as against gypsies. In each case the occupiers said that the recovery of possession interfered with their right respect for their family … Continue reading Kay and Another v London Borough of Lambeth and others; Leeds City Council v Price and others and others: HL 8 Mar 2006
The court was asked whether proceedings in a military court against soldiers for disciplinary offences involved criminal charges within the meaning of Article 6(1): ‘In this connection, it is first necessary to know whether the provision(s) defining the offence charged belong, according to the legal system of the respondent State, to criminal law, disciplinary law … Continue reading Engel And Others v The Netherlands (1): ECHR 8 Jun 1976
Unrelated Detriment was no Discrimination The tenant had left his flat and sublet it so as to allow the landlord authority an apparently unanswerable claim for possession. The authority appealed a finding that they had to take into account the fact that the tenant was disabled and make reasonable adjustments. Held: The authority’s appeal succeeded. … Continue reading London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm: HL 25 Jun 2008
The appellant complained of disability discrimination. He retired early suffering Tourette’s syndrome. He had worked part time, and the parties now disputed his pension entitlements. Held: The appeal failed. Lord Kerr, Lord Carnwath, Lord Hodge, Lady Black, Lord Kitchin [2018] UKSC 65 Bailii, Bailii Summary Equality Act 2010 15(1) England and Wales Citing: Cited – … Continue reading Williams v The Trustees of Swansea University Pension and Assurance Scheme and Another: SC 17 Dec 2018
The bank challenged measures taken by HM Treasury to restrict access to the United Kingdom’s financial markets by a major Iranian commercial bank, Bank Mellat, on the account of its alleged connection with Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The bank sought to have the direction given under section 7 of the 2008 Act. … Continue reading Bank Mellat v Her Majesty’s Treasury (No 2): SC 19 Jun 2013
EAT Disability Discrimination: Disability Related Discrimination – Justification – Disability related discrimination. Equality Act 2010 section 15. Non-payment of bonus due to the Claimants having received a warning for disability related sick absence. Prima facie discrimination causatively made out. The Employment Tribunal were entitled to reject the Respondent’s justification defence. Peter Clarke HHJ [2015] UKEAT … Continue reading Land Registry v Houghton and Others: EAT 12 Feb 2015
EAT Disability Discrimination: Reasonable Adjustments – The disabled Claimant transferred to a role (A) for which, after delay, reasonable adjustments were made. Following mediation the Respondent ordered her transfer to role (B) which she never took up prior to medical retirement. The Employment Tribunal held transfer to (B) represented a breach of section 21 Equality … Continue reading Chief Constable of West Yorkshire v Farrand: EAT 13 Feb 2015
EAT Race Discrimination: Indirect – This is an appeal against a decision of the employment tribunal dismissing a claim for indirect discrimination. The case concerned the remuneration paid to different categories of members of the Parole Board. For a period between November 2009 and 1 April 2014, the Secretary of State determined that retired judges … Continue reading Greenland v Secretary of State for Justice: EAT 28 Jan 2015
EAT Disability Discrimination: Reasonable Adjustments – JURISDICTIONAL POINTS – Claim in time and effective date of termination – JURISDICTIONAL POINTS – Extension of time: just and equitable – UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Constructive dismissal – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Costs Disability Discrimination – failure to comply with an obligation to make reasonable adjustments (section 21 Equality … Continue reading Perry’s Motor Sales Ltd v Evans: EAT 17 Nov 2014
The appellants, all severely disabled appealed against the refusal of their judicial review of the substantial withdrawal by the Council of a service providing them with transport to local day care facilities. They said that the council had failed in its dutes to consider their individual cases, to consult properly, and in its public sector … Continue reading Robson and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Salford City Council: CA 20 Jan 2015
EAT Unfair Dismissal – Conduct – Section 98(2)(b) Employment Rights Act 1996 In a case where the Claimant had committed (admitted) assaults in the workplace because of his disability (he suffers from a paranoid schizophrenic illness), the ET found that the Respondent had dismissed him because of his having committed acts of gross misconduct and … Continue reading Burdett v Aviva Employment Services Ltd: EAT 14 Nov 2014
The appellant, a male to female transsexual, had remained married to her wife despite having the right to have the marriage annulled following the 2004 Act. She now appealed against rejection of her claim to a state pension on attaining the age of 60. She had not applied for a Gender Recognition Certificate because she … Continue reading MB v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: CA 31 Jul 2014
The claimant, of Black African origin, was publicly described as a ‘monkey in silk’ which led to her suffering depression. The company responded that her claim was out of time. Lord Dyson MR, Sullivan, Sharp LJJ [2014] EWCA Civ 855, [2014] ICR D27, [2014] WLR(D) 282 Bailii, WLRD Equality Act 2010 123 England and Wales … Continue reading Agbenowossi-Koffi v Donvand Ltd (T/A Gullivers Travel Associates): CA 24 Jun 2014
Two claimants, Nigerian women, came illegally to work as domestics. They suffered severe abuse by their employers. Whilst each received substantial awards, they appealed now from rejection of their claims for discrimination based upon the advantage taken of their unlawful immigration status. Held: Immigration status was not to be equated with ‘nationality’ for the purpose … Continue reading Onu v Akwiwu and Another: CA 13 Mar 2014
The claimant said that the requirement in an arbitration clause for all the arbitrators to be members of the Ismaili community was unlawful under the 2003 Regulations. Held: The appointment was not discriminatory. An arbitrator’s employment was not within the Regulations, and was not a worker under the case law. He was instead an independent … Continue reading Jivraj v Hashwani: ComC 26 Jun 2009
EAT Disability Discrimination : Reasonable Adjustments Langstaff J P [2013] UKEAT 0227 – 13 – 1607 Bailii Equality Act 2010 England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Hainsworth v Ministry of Defence CA 13-May-2014 The appellant was employed by the respondents working in Germany. Her daughter suffered chronic illness and she wished to care … Continue reading Hainsworth v Ministry of Defence: EAT 16 Jul 2013
Evidence Needed to Share Benefical Inerests The family home had been purchased during the marriage in the name of the husband only. The wife asserted that she had a beneficial interest in it. Held: The principles apply to any case where a beneficial interest in land is claimed by a person, whether spouse or stranger, … Continue reading Gissing v Gissing: HL 7 Jul 1970
EAT AGE DISCRIMINATION UNFAIR DISMISSAL Automatically unfair reasons Reason for dismissal including substantial other reason The reason for the Claimant’s dismissal was retirement. The Employment Tribunal erred in holding that the Claimant’s claim of age discrimination failed by application of Regulation 30 of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 when the 2006 regulations had been … Continue reading Copeland v E Coomes (Holdings) Ltd (Age Discrimination): EAT 13 Jun 2013
amnesty_ahmedEAT2009 EAT RACE DISCRIMINATION – Direct discriminationRACE DISCRIMINATION – Indirect discriminationRACE DISCRIMINATION – Protected by s. 41UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Constructive dismissalClaimant, of (northern) Sudanese ethnic origin, applied for promotion to role of ‘Sudan researcher’ for Amnesty International – Not appointed because Amnesty believed that the appointment of a person of her ethnic origin would compromise … Continue reading Amnesty International v Ahmed: EAT 13 Aug 2009
The appellant had failed in his claim for indirect age discrimination. Approaching retirement, he complained that new conditions allowing advancement to graduates only, discriminated against him since he could not complete a degree before retiring. Held: The appeal succeeded, but the case was remitted to investigate whether the discrimination could be properly justified: ‘Part of … Continue reading Homer v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police: SC 25 Apr 2012
The applicants complained of the unfairness of their trial in Andorra (which the Court held it had no jurisdiction to investigate) and of their detention in France, which was not found to violate article 5. Held: Member states are obliged to refuse their co-operation with another state if it emerges that a conviction ‘is the … Continue reading Drozd and Janousek v France and Spain: ECHR 26 Jun 1992
Same Sex Partner Entitled to tenancy Succession The protected tenant had died. His same-sex partner sought a statutory inheritance of the tenancy. Held: His appeal succeeded. The Fitzpatrick case referred to the position before the 1998 Act: ‘Discriminatory law undermines the rule of law because it is the antithesis of fairness. It brings the law … Continue reading Ghaidan v Godin-Mendoza: HL 21 Jun 2004
Proving Discrimination – Two Stage Process Each appeal raised procedural issues in discrimination cases, asking where, under the new regulations, the burden of proof had shifted. Held: The new situation required a two stage process before a complaint could be upheld. First the claimant had to establish facts allowing the tribunal to conclude, in the … Continue reading Igen Ltd v Wong: CA 18 Feb 2005
amwell_dogherty The claimant had secretly recorded the disciplinary hearings and also the deliberations of the disciplinary panel after their retirement. The tribunal had at a case management hearing admitted the recordings as evidence, and the defendant appealed, saying also that it had been disclosed too late. Held: The evidence contained in the recordings was relevant … Continue reading Amwell View School v Dogherty: EAT 15 Sep 2006
The claimant said that she had been discriminated against on the grounds of her religion. She worked as a beauty consultant at the airport, but through a limited company. Her airside pass had been withdrawn. She now appealed against rejection of her claim that she was a worker by both the Employment Tribunal and by … Continue reading Halawi v WDFG UK Ltd (T/A World Duty Free): CA 28 Oct 2014
The deceased had committed suicide on escaping from a mental hospital. The Trust appealed against a refusal to strike out the claim that that they had been negligent in having inadequate security. Held: The Trust’s appeal failed. The fact that she was detained for her own protection rather than to protect others required different standards … Continue reading Savage v South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MIND intervening): HL 10 Dec 2008
Age UK challenged the implementation by the UK of the Directive insofar as it established a default retirement age (DRA) at 65. Held: The claim failed. The decision to adopt a DRA was not a disproportionate way of giving effect to the social aim of labour market confidence. The use of a designated retirement age … Continue reading Age UK, Regina (On the Application of) v Attorney General: Admn 25 Sep 2009
(Grand Chamber) Pensioners who had moved abroad complained that they had been excluded from the index-linked uprating of pensions given to pensioners living in England. Held: This was not an infringement of their human rights. Differences in treatment for an identifiable characteristic, or status, can amount to discrimination within article 14 if the reason had … Continue reading Carson and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 4 Nov 2008
Housing Orthodox Jewish Only not Discriminatory Hackney had statutory housing functions as to allocating social housing. It also nominated applicants to properties owned by housing associations, including AIHA, which only accepted for such nominations households belonging to the Orthodox Jewish community. Hackney identified the First Appellant (Z), who is not a member of the Orthodox … Continue reading Z and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Hackney London Borough Council and Another: SC 16 Oct 2020
Application for judicial review of a decision by the Council terminating Christian Kitchen’s licence to operate a ‘soup kitchen’ at the Mission Grove car park, London E17. Held: The request for judicial review was granted. The council’s position that there was no evidence to suggest the relocation would affect users’ ability to access the kitchen … Continue reading Blake and Others v London Borough of Waltham Forest: Admn 7 Apr 2014
The appellants owned a guesthouse. They appealed from being found in breach of the Regulations. They had declined to honour a booking by the respondents of a room upon learning that they were a homosexual couple. The appellants had said that they were practising Christians and viewed the guest house as their home, and that … Continue reading Bull and Bull v Hall and Preddy: CA 10 Feb 2012
The applicant had held a joint tenancy of the respondent. His partner gave notice and left, and the property was taken into possession. The claimant claimed restoration of his tenancy saying the order did not respect his right to a private life and home. Held: Article 8 does not, in terms, give a right to … Continue reading London Borough of Harrow v Qazi: HL 31 Jul 2003
molaudi_modEAT11 EAT JURISDICTIONAL POINTS The Claimant sought to bring a claim for racial discrimination against the defendant relating to events which occurred while the Claimant was a serving soldier. He had previously made a complaint about the same matters to the military authorities, which was not brought in time and which was rejected. The Employment … Continue reading Molaudi v Ministry of Defence: EAT 15 Apr 2011
The House was asked ‘whether a local authority can obtain a summary order for possession against an occupier of a site which it owns and has been used for many years as a gipsy and travellers’ caravan site. His licence to occupy the site has come to an end. He has no enforceable right to … Continue reading Doherty and others v Birmingham City Council: HL 30 Jul 2008
Relatives sought judicial review of the coroner’s decision not to allow a jury, and against allowance of an expert witness. The deceased had been a mental patient but had been arrested with a view to being hospitalised. He was taken first to the AandE department. From there he escaped and jumped into and drowned in … Continue reading Takoushis, Regina (on the Application of) v HM Coroner for Inner North London and others: CA 30 Nov 2005
Having ‘due regard’ is not Obligation to do The claimant sought to challenge the decision to close her local post office on the basis that being retired and disabled and without a car in a rural area, the office was essential and the decision unsupportable. In particular she challenged the removal of post offices from … Continue reading Brown, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Admn 18 Dec 2008
The appellant was disabled, had legal qualifications, and worked with the respondent as a volunteer. She had sought assistance under the Disability Discrimination Act, now the 2012 Act, saying that she counted as a worker. The tribunal and CA had found no contractual relationship. She said that under the 2000 Directive (the Framework Directive ‘FD’) … Continue reading X v Mid Sussex Citizens Advice Bureau and Another: SC 12 Dec 2012
The appellant had succeeded in his claim for sex discrimination arising from his orientation, but the EAT had reversed the decision. He now appealed against the EAT decision. Although he had revealed his sexuality in one post, he had chosen to delay this when moved to a different office, but it had nevertheless been revealed. … Continue reading Grant v HM Land Registry: CA 1 Jul 2011
The claimant was a post operative male to female trans-sexual. She claimed that her human rights were infringed when she was still treated as a man for National Insurance contributions purposes, where she continued to make payments after the age at which a woman would have ceased payments thus causing harassment. A second claimant again … Continue reading Goodwin v The United Kingdom: ECHR 11 Jul 2002
The claimant police officer sought judicial review of a decision to continue his suspension. He had been investigated and cleared after a death in custody. He sought to join the Church of England Ministry and was offered a post. He was re-assured that the matter was closed, resigned and took up the new post with … Continue reading Birks, Regina (On the Application of) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis: Admn 25 Sep 2014
The parties had cohabited for a long time, in a home bought by Ms Dowden. After the breakdown of the relationship, Mr Stack claimed an equal interest in the second family home, which they had bought in joint names. The House was asked whether, when a conveyance into joint names indicates only that each party … Continue reading Stack v Dowden: HL 25 Apr 2007
The soldier had died of heatstroke after exercises in Iraq. The Minister appealed against a finding that the circumstances of his death required an investigation compliant with Article 2 human rights, saying that he was not subject to such jurisdiction whilst not on a British base in Iraq. The deceased’s family argued that the jurisdiction … Continue reading Secretary of State for Defence v Smith, Regina (on the Application of): CA 18 May 2009
The claimant pursued a civil claim for damages, alleging complicity of the respondent in his torture whilst in the custody of foreign powers. The respondent sought that certain materials be available to the court alone and not to the claimant or the public under a closed material procedure. It argued that whilst the need for … Continue reading Al Rawi and Others v The Security Service and Others: SC 13 Jul 2011
The appellants were mothers of two servicemen who had died whilst on active service in Iraq. They appealed refusal to grant a public inquiry. There had already been coroners inquests. They said that Article 2 had been infringed. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The right to an inquiry was procedural and depended first on the … Continue reading Gentle, Regina (on the Application of) and Another v The Prime Minister and Another: HL 9 Apr 2008
The court was asked when the six month’s limit for beginning equal pay proceedings began. The new section 2ZA set the qualifying date as ‘the date falling six months after the last day on which the woman was employed in the employment.’ The problem arose where there were a succession of contracts. It was argued … Continue reading Slack and Others v Cumbria County Council and Another: CA 3 Apr 2009
Result Decides Dscrimination not Motive The Council had allowed free entry to its swimming pools to those of pensionable age (ie women of 60 and men of 65). A 61 year old man successfully complained of sexual discrimination. Held: The 1975 Act directly discriminated between men and women by treating women more favourably on the … Continue reading James v Eastleigh Borough Council: HL 14 Jun 1990
Art 50 Notice withrawable unilaterally Reference for a preliminary ruling – Article 50 TEU – Notification by a Member State of its intention to withdraw from the European Union – Consequences of the notification – Right of unilateral revocation of the notification – ConditionsThe Court Ruled: ‘Article 50 TEU must be interpreted as meaning that, … Continue reading Wightman and Others v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union: ECJ 10 Dec 2018
The couple going through the divorce each had substantial farms and wished to continue farming. It had been a long marriage. Held: Where a division of the assets of a family would satisfy the reasonable needs of either party on an ancillary relief application on a divorce, the court should include consideration of why any … Continue reading White v White: HL 26 Oct 2000
The appellant a British Citizen awaited execution in Singapore after conviction on a drugs charge. The only way she might get legal help for a further appeal would be if she was given legal aid by the respondent. She sought assistance both on Human Rights under article 6(2) and under common law. Held: The appeal … Continue reading Sandiford, Regina (on The Application of) v The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: SC 16 Jul 2014
Anonymity Not Necessary under CPR 3.92. Judgment on the Claimant’s application for an order under CPR 39.2(4) that her name be anonymised in these proceedings by the use of a cipher and that restrictions should be imposed on the reporting of her identity. She said that publication of her name would have adverse psychological factors. … Continue reading Imam, Regina (on The Application of) v The London Borough of Croydon (Anonymity request): Admn 26 Mar 2021
The claimant was a solicitor partner with the appellant limited liability partnership at their offices in Tanzania. She disclosed what she believed to be money laundering by a local partner. She was dismissed. She had just disclosed her pregnancy and claimed also in sex discrimination. The company appealed findings as to jurisdiction saying that she … Continue reading Clyde and Co Llp and Another v Bates van Winkelhof: CA 26 Sep 2012
ECJ Principle of equal pay for men and women – Direct effect – Meaning of worker – Self-employed female lecturer undertaking work presumed to be of equal value to that which is undertaken in the same college by male lecturers who are employees, but under contract with a third company – Self-employed lecturers not eligible … Continue reading Allonby v Accrington and Rossendale College for Education and Employment: ECJ 13 Jan 2004
Dyson LJ considered the interaction between race relations law and planning permission in the context of gypsy encampments. He looked at section 71 of the 1976 Act and said: ‘In my judgment, it is important to emphasise that the section 71(1) duty is not a duty to achieve a result, namely to eliminate unlawful racial … Continue reading Baker and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Others: CA 28 Feb 2008
EAT Sex Discrimination: Indirect – Discrimination by other bodies Indirect Sex Discrimination – Employment service-providers (section 55 Equality Act 2010) – Students: admission and treatment etc (section 91 Equality Act 2010) This case concerns the relationship between the education and employment provisions within the Equality Act 2010. Specifically as to the operation of section 56(5), … Continue reading Blackwood v Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust: EAT 22 Sep 2014
Proper Investigation of Deaths with Army or Police Claims were made as regards deaths of alleged terrorists in clashes with the UK armed forces and police. In some cases the investigations necessary to justify the taking of life had been inadequate. Statements made to the inquiry as to the circumstances of the deaths had not … Continue reading Jordan v United Kingdom; McKerr v United Kingdom; similar: ECHR 4 May 2001
EAT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
An employee suffering from MS was subjected by his line manager (he said) to comments adverse to his performance, who was dismissive of his difficulties . .
The claimants were PRs of men who had died or were severely injured on active duty in Iraq being variously fired at by mistake by other coalition forces, or dying in vehicles attacked by roadside bombs. Appeals were heard against a finding that the . .
Accountability for violation of the Convention rights and freedoms of persons in another state stems from the fact that article 1 of the Convention cannot be interpreted so as to allow a state party to perpetrate violations of the Convention on the . .
Sir Edward Coke said: ‘If this alien becomes an enemy (as all alien friends may) then he is utterly disabled to maintain any action, or get anything within this realm.’ and ‘If a King comes to a kingdom by conquest, he may change and alter the laws . .
The claimant said that a scheme drawn by the defendant for compensating British civilians interned by the Japanese during the second world war was indirectly discriminatory on racial grounds by requiring a national origin link with the UK. She had . .
(Grand Chamber) When considering the appropriateness of a deportation order to a country with which the deporting country had a memorandum of understanding that the destination country would not torture the deportee, a court must look beyond the . .
