EAT RACE DISCRIMINATION Inferring discrimination Burden of proof UNFAIR DISMISSAL Procedural fairness / automatically unfair dismissalThe Employment Tribunal misdirected themselves in applying Section 54A of the Race Relations Act 1976. They erred in holding that the burden of proof passed to the Respondents on the Claimant establishing a prima facie case that they could have … Continue reading Hammonds Llp and Others v Mwitta: EAT 1 Oct 2010
The court was asked whether the statutory burden of proof in a case of alleged direct race discrimination was properly understood and applied by the Employment Tribunal in accordance with section 54A(2) of the Race Relations Act 1976, as amended. Held: The appeal was allowed. The ET had erred as to the law. Judges: Mummery, … Continue reading St Christopher’s Fellowship v Walters-Ennis: CA 30 Jul 2010
EAT TRADE UNION RIGHTS – Action short of dismissal VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION – Other forms of victimisation The Employment Tribunal did not err in failing to determine the Appellant’s claim under Section 146 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 on a balance of probabilities. The Appellant had also claimed victimisation under the … Continue reading Gayle v Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust: EAT 16 Apr 2010
EAT VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION SEX DISCRIMINATION – Burden of Proof Ex-employee given unfavourable reference – Claim that terms of reference were partly on account of her having previously brought sex discrimination proceedings against employers – Claim decided by the Tribunal on basis of the ‘reverse burden of proof’ provisions of s. 63A of Sex Discrimination Act … Continue reading Pothecary Witham Weld (A Firm) and Another v Bullimore and Another: EAT 29 Mar 2010
EAT RACE DISCRIMINATION: Discrimination by other bodiesPRACTICE and PROCEDURE: CostsClaims brought under ss12 and 13 Race Relations Act 1976. Properly struck out by Employment Tribunal under Rule 18(7)(b) as having no reasonable prospect of success.Costs of aborted EAT hearing to be paid by Appellant who was wholly responsible for those wasted costs. Citations: [2009] UKEAT … Continue reading Igboaka v The Royal College of Pathologists: EAT 3 Dec 2009
The claimant taxi driver sought to assert race discrimination. The respondent argued that he had not been an employee, but an independent contractor. The Claimant owned his own vehicle and paid the respondents minicab operators pounds 75 per week for a radio and access to their company system, which allocated calls from customers to a … Continue reading Mingeley v Pennock and Another (T/A Amber Cars): CA 9 Feb 2004
The appicant sought leave to appeal against refusal of his claim of race discrimination. Held: Leave was granted on one point. The Industrial Tribunal under the heading ‘Dismissal’, referred to the fact that: ‘The applicant lacked the ability to be a ‘team player’ and lack interpersonal and management skills.’ ‘It seems to us to be … Continue reading Tchoula v Netto Foodstores Ltd: EAT 14 Jul 1997
An employer’s liability for racial abuse by its employees is wider than its liability under the rules of vicarious liability. The statute created new obligations. Sex and race discrimination legislation seeks to eradicate the ‘very great evil’ of discrimination.Waite LJ said: ‘a statute is to be construed according to its legislative purpose, with due regard … Continue reading Tower Boot Company Limited v Jones: CA 11 Dec 1996
EAT VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATIONPRACTICE AND PROCEDURENew evidence on appealCostsThe Employment Tribunal was right to reject the Claimant’s victimisation claim. It disbelieved her allegation that she saw the solicitor representing her previous employer in her first unsuccessful race discrimination visit her current employer.The Employment Tribunal did not err when it awarded andpound;7000 costs against her, taking into … Continue reading Hooper v Sherborne School: EAT 9 Sep 2009
EAT RACE DISCRIMINATION: Direct / Burden of proof VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE: Appellate jurisdiction/reasons/Burns-BarkeNumerous complaints of direct discrimination/victimisation under the Race Relations Act 1976 (RRA). Whether the Employment Tribunal reasoning passed the Meek test. With one exception it did not; those matters remitted to fresh Employment Tribunal for rehearing. On the question, does s.54A … Continue reading Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Trust and Another v Maruziva: EAT 9 Oct 2009
EAT RACE DISCRIMINATION – Inferring DiscriminationTribunal wrong to apply test in King v Great Britain-China Centre [1992] ICR 516 instead of applying s.54A of Race Relations Act 1976 on the basis that the Claimant was claiming ‘colour discrimination’ – Chagger v Abbey National plc [2009] ICR 624 followed – but held that there was on … Continue reading Edozie v Group 4 Securicor Plc and Another: EAT 3 Jun 2009
EAT RACE DISCRIMINATION Aiding and abetting Contract workers The Employment Tribunal erred in law in finding that a contract worker made the Claimant’s employer liable for direct race discrimination under sections 32 and 33 of the Race Relations Act 1976. The Tribunal failed to (a) make necessary findings of fact (b) to analyse the facts … Continue reading May and Baker Ltd (T/A Sanofi-Aventis Pharma) v Okerago: EAT 17 Feb 2010
EAT RACE DISCRIMINATION: Contract workersLeeds contracted with WN for WN to provide housing services. WN contracted with Leeds for a department of Leeds to provide housing services back to WN so that WN could discharge its contractual duty to Leeds. WN employed Claimant. WN supplied Claimant to Leeds. Leeds employed Mr Chapman. Pursuant to section … Continue reading Leeds City Council v Woodhouse and Others: EAT 21 Apr 2009
The claimant had been a cook. A poster was put up at work redrawn to show her in a sexually suggestive pose. The court now considered an appeal agreed by consent by the parties. Held: Since the case had been heard, the Court of Appeal in Tower Boot had amended the law, and the appeal … Continue reading AB v CD: EAT 13 Nov 1997
EAT SEX DISCRIMINATION: Burden of proofRACE DISCRIMINATION: Inferring discrimination Tribunal found Claimant to have suffered both sex and race discrimination in course of her employment as a consultant orthodontist. On appeal, Tribunal found to have failed to carry out a like for like comparison with chosen comparators and to have, wrongly, only considered Appellants’ submissions … Continue reading Grampian Health Board v Hewage: EAT 4 Feb 2009
The house considered the burden of proof in cases involving allegations of discrimination. Held: Lord Morison ‘The requirement necessary to establish less favourable treatment which is laid down by section 1(1) of the Act of 1976 is not one of less favourable treatment than that which would have been accorded by a reasonable employer in … Continue reading Glasgow City Council v Zafar: SCS 1997
EAT Sex Discrimination – Inferring DiscriminationThe claimant sought compenstion for sex discrimination. She appealed a finding of a material factor justifying the difference in pay. Held: The new provisions included reference to the Code of Practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission, which provided that the employer should provide a transparent system for setting pay … Continue reading Barton v Investec Henderson Crosthwaite Securities Ltd: EAT 6 Mar 2003
EAT Race discriminationThe burden of proof in section 54A of the Race Relations Act 1976 does not apply to cases of direct discrimination on the grounds of nationality or colour. In such cases the less stringent burden of proof set out in King v Great Britain – China Centre [1992] ICR 516 and Anya v … Continue reading Okonu v G4S Security Services (UK) Ltd: EAT 11 Feb 2007
EAT Unfair dismissal – Procedural fairness/automatically unfair dismissalPractice and Procedure – Appellate jurisdiction/Reasons/Burns-BarkeRace discrimination – Direct / Burden of proof / VictimisationIt being common ground that the Employment Tribunal directed itself correctly on the law, its application to the facts was not perverse. The Employment Tribunal approached the burden of proof correctly, except for holding … Continue reading Birmingham City Council and Another v Samuels: EAT 24 Oct 2007
The claimant was a Pakistani member of the Labour Party. He had sought selection as parliamentary candidate, but allegations had been made about behaviour of members in the Pakistani community in his ward and the local party had been suspended. A candidate was deliberately chosen who was not a member of that community. The claimant … Continue reading Watt (Formerly Carter) v Ahsan: HL 21 Nov 2007
EAT Victimisation Burden of proof Appeal – Perversity challenge on finding important for remedy. Cross-Appeal – Did ET misdirect itself on burden of proof on victimisation claim.As a matter of construction, the provisions of section 54A RRA did not apply to a claim of victimisation under section 2. Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Wilkie Citations: … Continue reading Oyarce v Cheshire County Council: EAT 13 Jun 2007
EAT The appellant lodged claims under the Race Relations Act 1976 against the First Respondent. He contended they were in time. The ET held that they had been lodged a day out of time and refused to extend time on the just and equitable ground. The EAT held that the chairman was right to find … Continue reading Virdi v Commisioner of Police of the Metropolis, Central Police Training and Development Authority (Centrex): EAT 6 Oct 2006
The claimant appealed dismissals of his claim for race discrimination, harassment and victimisation. In a new job, other team members said they were uncomfortable alone with him, and his probationary period was extended because of his failure to fit in. He said the tribunal had erred in failing to apply the two stage test set … Continue reading Brown v London Borough of Croydon and Another: CA 26 Jan 2007
EAT Practice and Procedure – Compromise1. On the true construction of a compromise agreement in respect of claims arising on the termination of the contract of employment, claims arising during the relationship and arising otherwise than on termination were not compromised. The agreement did not meet the industry standard for such model agreements.2. Further the … Continue reading Palihakkara v British Telecommunications Plc: EAT 9 Oct 2006
EAT Practice and Procedure – Application/Claim The Claimant, a doctor, put forward a complaint to the Tribunal that the MDU, his professional body, had been guilty of race discrimination in the manner in which they had provided or failed to provide services to him in connection with disciplinary proceedings against him. The Tribunal rejected his … Continue reading Wagunyanya v Medical Defence Union Services Ltd: EAT 6 Jul 2006
The testatrix left a will anticipating making another. The court was asked whether a clause leaving her estate to ‘be taken over by the Diocese of Westminster to hold in trust for the Black community of Hackney’ was valid. Held: The gift was capable of being charitable, subject to the application of the 1976 Act. … Continue reading Gibbs v Harding and others: ChD 12 Jan 2007
The claimant appealed against rejection of her claim for race discrimination as having been made out of time. Judges: Thorpe, Hooper, Hughes LJJ Citations: [2006] EWCA Civ 1548 Links: Bailii Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Dr Anya v University of Oxford and Another CA 22-Mar-2001 Discrimination – History … Continue reading Lyfar v Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust: CA 14 Nov 2006
EAT The claimant alleged that she had been victimised contrary to the provisions of s.2(1) of the Race Relations Act 1976. The tribunal were satisfied that the claimant had carried out a protected act and that she had been treated less favourably than an appropriate comparator. The tribunal were of the view that the respondents … Continue reading Palmer v Dunedin Canmore Housing Association Ltd: EAT 6 Jul 2006
The claimant sought to allege race discrimination and appealed refusal by the respondents to release required documents. She had been turned down for an appointment to the Trident task force, and sought disclosure of the reasons. The respondent said that she had failed in her vetting, and that they were prohibited in law from disclosing … Continue reading Barracks v Coles and Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis: CA 21 Jul 2006
The employee claimed that he had been discriminated against. He had stood as a candidate in local elections for the British National Party (BNP) party. His employers had dismissed him saying that his propagation of racially discriminatory polices was incompatible with his duties. Held: The dismissal was not on racially discriminatory grounds, though considerations of … Continue reading Serco Ltd v Redfearn: CA 25 May 2006
The parties to the action had given cross undertakings to support the grant of an interim injunction. A third party subsequently applied to be joined, and now sought to take advantage of the cross undertakings to claim the losses incurred through the giving of the ‘wrongful undertakings’ Held: The joined party, who had not itself … Continue reading Smithkline Beecham Plc Glaxosmithkline UK Ltd and Another v Apotex Europe Ltd and others (No 2): CA 23 May 2006
EAT Unlawful Deduction From Wages and Race Discrimination: Post-EmploymentThe Employment Tribunal erred in construing ‘full salary’ payable on the suspension of the Claimant as fettering the employee’s right to end a short term temporary placement and restore him to his substantive grade which represented his ‘full salary’.The Employment Tribunal was directed on remission of one … Continue reading Serco Ltd T/A Education Bradford and others v Quarshie: EAT 17 Jan 2006
The claimant said that he had been indirectly discriminated against on racial grounds. He was dismissed after being elected as a local councillor for the BNP. The employer considered that for Health and Safety reasons, his dismissal was necessary because of the upset and disturbance his continued employment would create with Asian co-workers and passengers. … Continue reading A C Redfearn v Serco Ltd T/A West Yorkshire Transport Service: EAT 27 Jul 2005
EAT Race Discrimination – Discrimination by other bodies – Race Discrimination Section 12 Race Relations Act 1976. Definition of qualifying body and profession of vocation. Did it apply to amateur footballer and local football league authorities? Judges: His Honour Judge Ansell Citations: [2004] UKEAT 0320 – 04 – 1609, UKEAT/0320/04 Links: Bailii Statutes: Race Relations … Continue reading Jeffrey-Shaw v Shopshire County Premier Football League Shopshire County Football Association: EAT 17 Aug 2004
Citations: [2004] EWCA Civ 1246 Links: Bailii Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Moyo v Tower Hamlets Consortium EAT 26-Mar-2004 EAT Race Discrimination – Victimisation. . . Cited – Dr Anya v University of Oxford and Another CA 22-Mar-2001 Discrimination – History of interactions relevantWhen a tribunal considered … Continue reading Moyo v Tower Hamlets Consortium: CA 30 Jul 2004
The appellant challenged dismissal of her claim for indirect racial discrimination based on two grounds. First, that the Tribunal’s decision was perverse; in other words that it was a decision which, on the evidence before it, no reasonable tribunal could have reached. Secondly, that the Tribunal failed to interpret the law relating to indirect discrimination … Continue reading Meikle v Nottingham City Council: EAT 14 Apr 1994
The company appealed against a finding of race discrimination. Held: As a matter of law the concept of vicarious liability provided for in Section 41(1) of the Act, identical to that under Section 32(1) of the Race Relations Act 1976. Citations: [1995] UKEAT 56 – 94 – 2703, [1995] IRLR 529 Links: Bailii Statutes: Race … Continue reading Tower Boot Company Ltd v Jones: EAT 27 Mar 1995
Appeal from striking out of claims for victimisation Judges: Laws, Gage, Rimer LJJ Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 1052, [2008] ICR 208, [2008] IRLR 232 Links: Bailii Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 2(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Discrimination Updated: 14 June 2022; Ref: scu.341669
The claimant had made a complaint of race discrimination. The complaint was dismissed. Some time later the company dismissed him, and he again lodged a complaint. The tribunal found him unfairly dismissed, but again not discriminated against. Held: The Tribunal had been wrong to ignore any motive for the action taken. When it found no … Continue reading Madden v Preferred Technical Group CHA Limited, Guest: CA 27 Aug 2004
A teacher of Hong Kong national origin was refused qualified teacher status in this country because the Secretary of State had not exercised a power conferred on him by the relevant regulations to treat her Hong Kong qualifications as equivalent to the necessary UK qualifications. The refusal was alleged to constitute indirect racial discrimination. The … Continue reading Hampson v Department of Education and Science: HL 7 Jun 1990
The respondent resisted a claim of unfair dismissal and race discrimination on the basis that the employment contract was illegal since the claimant was an immigrant and unable to work without a work permit. Held: The Court of Appeal upheld a defence of illegality to a teacher’s complaint against a school of unlawful discrimination by … Continue reading V v Addey and Stanhope School: CA 30 Jul 2004
The claimant sought damages for discrimination by the respondent, who replied that as a professional he was not a ‘worker’ within the legislation. Held: The respondents were a society providing advice and representation to its members. It was an organisation of workers. To fall within the ambit of the category of ‘any other organisation’ the … Continue reading Medical Protection Society, Dr Bown, Dr Hickey v Dr Sadek: CA 12 Jul 2004
Three Defence employees sought to bring claims of variously race and sex discrimination against the Ministry. In each case their services were provided almost entirely abroad, and the defendant argued that there was no jurisdiction to hear the case, and that jurisdiction was not created by minimal presence here. Held: The provisions as to jurisdiction … Continue reading Saggar v Ministry of Defence: EAT 25 May 2004
The claimant was a social work student. He attended a work experience placement, and challenged the report given by the defendants on that placement, saying it was discriminatory and defamatory. He appealed a strike out of his claim. Held: The occasion was one of qualified privilege. The claimant had to establish malice to defeat that … Continue reading Meade v Pugh and Another: QBD 5 Mar 2004
The claimant had been awarded damages for race discrimination. The employer appealed. Held: In a claim for damages under the 1976 Act, it was not necessary to show that the damage suffered was reasonably forseeable.Pill LJ said: ‘I see no need to superimpose the requirement or prerequisite of reasonable foreseeability upon the statutory tort in … Continue reading Laing Limited v Yassin Essa: CA 21 Jan 2004
Mr Nagarajan, of Indian birth, had brought several complaints to the Tribunal based on race. A settlement was reached on or about 1st November 1989 in full and final settlement of all his claims arising out of his employment with London Underground Ltd. His employment by LUL had ceased by then. Mr Nagarajan, after a … Continue reading Nagarajan v Agnew: EAT 21 Jul 1993
The claimant had sought registration as a specialist medical practitioner by the respondent. His complaint that the crtiria used to reject his claim were discriminatory had been rejected by the employment tribunal and EAT on the basis that they had no jurisdiction. Held: The section and rules establishing the Training authority clearly reserved to that … Continue reading British Medical Association v Chaudhary: CA 15 May 2003
The claimant appealed against the level of damages awarded on his claim for race discrimination on the basis that he had not shown that his hurt feelings were not shown to have been reasonably forseeable. Held: The tribunal had erred. It was natural and invitable that humiliation and hurt would follow discrimination. The claimant had … Continue reading Yashin Essa v Laing Ltd: EAT 17 Feb 2003
The claimant sought damages for race discrimination. He appealed a dismissal of his claim, suggesting that the assessor’s role had been misunderstood. Held: The structure of the Act recognised the particular difficulties in assessing evidence in race discrimination cases, by requiring experienced lay persons to sit with the chair. There was no direct useful comparison … Continue reading Ahmed v Governing Body of the University of Oxford and Another: CA 20 Dec 2002
The claimant had been awarded damages for sex discrimination, including a sum of andpound;25,000 for injury to feelings. The respondent appealed. Held: The Court of Appeal looked to see whether there had been an error of law in the employment tribunal decision. It did not look to see whether the Employment Appeal Tribunal had erred … Continue reading Vento v The Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police (No 2): CA 20 Dec 2002
Race Discrimination – Direct. After dealing with the arguments based on the history of the various statutes: ‘Whether the employer deliberately dismisses the employee on racial grounds or he so acts as to repudiate the contract by racially discriminatory conduct, which repudiation the employee accepts, the end result is the same, namely the loss of … Continue reading Derby Specialist Fabrication Ltd v J N Burton: EAT 27 Sep 2000
The applicants were suspended from membership of the Labour party. As a result they were unable to stand for election as councillors. They alleged racial discrimination. Held: The position as councillor fell within the Act, and the claim for discrimination had been properly allowed. The Act should be interpreted sufficiently widely to provide a remedy … Continue reading Mcdonagh (Sued on Her Own Behalf and on Behalf of All Other Members of the Labour Party) v Z Ali H S Sohal: EAT 10 Apr 2000
English and Scottish are Separate Racial Groups The English and Scottish peoples are recognised as separate racial groups. Discrimination on the basis that someone was English or Scottish was therefore discrimination for the purposes of the 1976 Act. Since Parliament had not amended or defined the concept of national origins when passing the 1976 Act, … Continue reading BBC Scotland v Souster: SCS 7 Dec 2000
The Chief Constable appealed against a refusal to strike out a claim by the respondent that he had racially discriminated against her. Force members had used code words for racially abusive terms about her. The claim was that he was vicariously liable for the acts of his Force members. Liability was asserted against the chief … Continue reading Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police v Liversidge: EAT 21 Sep 2001
After a very long hearing, the appellant had been found guilty of race discrimination in his making of allegations about the behaviour of the respondent in failing to investigate corruption within Hackney London Borough Council. Held: The first instance tribunal had failed to take account of evidence offered by the appellant to a degree which … Continue reading Crofton v Yeboah: EAT 16 May 2001
The Lord Chancellor’s action in appointing to a special adviser’s post someone he already knew and trusted, without first advertising the post openly, was not an act of sex or race discrimination. Had they applied, they would not have been appointed because they were not personally known to the Lord Chancellor. In practice a post … Continue reading Coker and Osamor v The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chancellor’s Department: CA 22 Nov 2001
Regulations under which payments were made for funeral benefits were not susceptible to a challenge under the Race Relations Act, since they were an act of the Crown. Citations: Gazette 08-Feb-1995, Times 15-Nov-1994 Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 20 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Nessa v Chief Adjudication Officer CA 5-Feb-1998 … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Social Security Ex Parte Nessa: QBD 15 Nov 1994
The employee had been selected for redundancy. He claimed both race and disability discrimination. He appealed a rejection of race discrimination claim. He said that the Meek case required the decision to deal with any significant of conflict of evidence, and this the tribunal had not done. The respondent said this need not be fatal … Continue reading Ashraf v Francis W Birkett and Sons Ltd: EAT 20 Jul 2001
The Applicant had worked for the respondents. The respondents were closing down the nursing home, and all staff were being made redundant and were to be given open references. The applicant’s claim for race discrimination had been heard but no decision given. The first respondent gave a reference but referred to the outstanding proceedings. The … Continue reading Jasbeer Rooproy v M Rollins-Elliott, Manor House Hospitals Ltd: EAT 7 Aug 2001
The applicant alleged discrimination arising out of a disputed grading. She claimed the grading she had received in 1988 amounted to direct discrimination on grounds of race, and that because this affected her pay there was a ‘continuing act’ of discrimination, which entitled her to present a complaint in 1990. Held: Time ran from the … Continue reading Sougrin v Haringey Health Authority: EAT 31 Jul 1991
The appellant appealed a finding against her by the ET and EAT on her claim of race discrimination. The tribunal found that the applicant had been treated less favourably, but had been unable to find any evidence that this had its origins in her race. However two paragraphs of the judgment were inconsistent. The judgement … Continue reading Allen v Oliver Group Plc and Another: CA 24 May 2001
The claimant sought damages from the respondents. The case was listed to be heard over 25 days, but she sought an adjournment because of her own ill health. She appealed a refusal of the adjournment. The adjournment was refused on several grounds, including the great age of the action, and the need for a speedy … Continue reading C Maloney v London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham; C Whatford; Governing Body of Hammersmith School and D A Williams: CA 7 May 1999
The defendant appealed a finding of the EAT that the claimant had standing to claim discrimination under the Act in the way her application to be a foster mother had been treated. Held: After the EAT decision in W v Essex, it was clear that the relation ship between the council and a foster parent … Continue reading Rowlands v City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council: CA 26 Mar 1999
A Czechoslovakian doctor complained against the General Medical Council under Section 12(1)(a) of the 1976 Act 1976 in respect of the most recent of a series of refusals, under its rules for the grant of limited registration as a medical practitioner in this country for doctors with overseas qualifications, to exempt her from its requirement … Continue reading Rovenska v General Medical Council: CA 4 Dec 1996
The respondent appealed an award of pounds 10.000 for damages for an act of direct race discrimination. The claimant, of Afro-Caribbean origin, had been subjected to a racist comment. Held: Translating hurt feelings into hard currency will always be an artificial exercise (Vento). The reasons for the award of aggravated damages were apparent from the … Continue reading British Telecommunications plc v Reid: CA 6 Oct 2003
The bank had decided not to credit re-located employees, for pension purposes, with their previous service in East Africa. The employees had been re-located to the United Kingdom some time in the early 1970s all upon terms that their prior service was not to count towards their pension entitlement. In 1987 they complained to an … Continue reading Barclays Bank Plc v Kapur: HL 1991
A police sergeant had made a complaint of race discrimination against his force. He applied for a post elsewhere, but his chief constable refused a reference claiming that he wished not to prejudice the force’s defence of the action. This was held not to be discrimination itself, but it was victimisation arising from the pursuit … Continue reading Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police and Others v Khan: CA 24 Feb 2000
Leave to appeal Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Morison (P) Citations: [1997] UKEAT 184 – 97 – 1104 Links: Bailii Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 47(10) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Employment, Discrimination Updated: 25 May 2022; Ref: scu.207356
An Asian Doctor had repeatedly been refused full registration by the council. It was held that he could not bring a claim of indirect discrimination, because he had not exhausted his rights of appeal. An application for review under the Act gave sufficient opportunity of redress being by way of an independent hearing capable of … Continue reading Khan v General Medical Council: EAT 24 Mar 1993
‘Aid’ under the section meant something more than mere helpfulness. The complainants arranged a wedding in premises owned by a defendant. The police respondents advised the owner that the wedding was for gypsies, whereupon the defendants unlawfully discriminated against the applicants. Nevertheless, the acts of the police did not go beyond an attempt to be … Continue reading Hallam and Another v Cheltenham Borough Council and Others: HL 27 Mar 2001
Two black waitresses, clearing tables in the banqueting hall of a hotel, were made the butt of racist and sexist jibes by a guest speaker entertaining the assembled all-male company at a private dinner party. Held: The employer of the waitresses had racially discriminated against the waitresses. Had the assistant managers in charge for the … Continue reading Burton and Another v De Vere Hotels: EAT 3 Oct 1996
The court was asked as to the meaning of ‘qualification’ when considered under the Act: ‘It is our view that the word ‘qualification’ itself and the other words in the definition viz ‘authority, recognition, registration, enrolment, approval and certification’ convey with reasonable clarity the idea of (a) some sort of status conferred on an employee … Continue reading Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland v Bone: 15 Sep 1993
A local councillor deselected for a forthcoming election by his political party had the capacity to claim racial discrimination in respect of the deselection, since the holding of office as a councillor could amount to engagement in a profession, and the political party had the power to confer the qualification by selection to go forward … Continue reading Sawyer v Ahsam: CA 21 Sep 1999
Swedish students on vocational courses in the UK had received loans from their home country, but were denied the grants towards their course fees which were made to English students. They claimed race discrimination. Although the withholding of grants was an indirect discrimination, it fell outside the Act and was not actionable because the acts … Continue reading Nabadda and Others v Westminster City Council; Gomilsek v Haringey London Borough Council: CA 24 Feb 2000
A Romany family booked a council hall for a wedding. Police later approached the council and made misleading assertions about the character of the family resulting in the imposition of additional conditions on the contract. There was however no evidence that the officers had acted in any overtly racist motive, but rather from a concern … Continue reading Hallam and Another v Avery and Another: CA 7 Jan 2000
A university was not acting in a racially discriminatory manner because of the acts of its student union in dismissing two workers after the university had itself expelled them as students. The term ‘knowingly aided’ in the Act was not to be read so widely. The expulsion by the applicants made the termination of employment … Continue reading Anyanwu and Another v South Bank Students’ Union and Another: CA 4 Nov 1999
EAT Unfair dismissal and Race Relations Act 1976 Unfair dismissal – Exclusions including worker/jurisdiction Three cases were stayed pending the judgment of the House of Lords in Lawson v Serco [2006] ICR 250. The appeal in the British Council case was dismissed on withdrawal after the hearing and before the judgment. In ADT, the Employment … Continue reading ADT Fire and Security Plc v Speyer: EAT 15 Sep 2006
The claimant’s complaints of unfair dismissal and race discrimination had been dismissed, but a claim of victimisation had succeeded. Held: There was no inconsistency in the findings. In such a case, damages should be limited to the sum for injured feelings (in this case andpound;5,000). Judges: Kennedy, May, Hooper LJJ Citations: Times 07-Jun-2004, Gazette 20-May-2004 … Continue reading Lisk-Carew v Birmingham City Council Dr S Sharp: CA 25 Apr 2004
A claim of damages for race discrimination did not survive the claimant’s death, and the estate cannot continue the claim. There is no statutory basis for such a survival, and it had not been intended by Parliament. This differs explicitly from other types of claims under general employment law, but is similar for sex discrimination. … Continue reading Lewisham and Guys Mental Health NHS Trust v Andrews: EAT 21 Apr 1999
It was not discriminatory of school governors to require a ‘communicant’ headmaster in a Church of England school. Citations: Gazette 21-Apr-1993, Independent 04-Mar-1993 Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 4(2) 1(1)(b) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Employment, Education, Discrimination Updated: 05 May 2022; Ref: scu.78458
The claimant alleged race discrimination arising out of a disputed grading and because it affected her pay she said it was a continuing act. Held: The court drew the distinction between a ‘one-off’ act of alleged racial discrimination and its continuing consequences for the appellant on the one hand, and the policy of such discrimination, … Continue reading Sougrin v Haringey Health Authority: CA 1992
The appellant, of Nigerian origin had been brought here at the age of 14 with false identity papers, and was put to work caring for the respondent’s children. In 2008 she was dismissed and ejected from the house. She brought proceedings alleging racial discrimination, but the only element of her claim which succeeded was of … Continue reading Hounga v Allen and Another: SC 30 Jul 2014
An assault on a company sponsored day out could be within the course of employment. Exclusion by the employer of consideration that the assault might be racially motivated, was itself race-specific and discriminatory. Citations: Gazette 10-Nov-1999, (1999) IRLR 683 Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 32(1) Citing: Appealed to – Sidhu v Aerospace Composite Technology Ltd … Continue reading Sidhu v Aerospace Composite Technology Ltd: EAT 10 Nov 1999
An Industrial Tribunal may not look at a claim of race discrimination which had taken place in the context of a disciplinary appeal following a dismissal. The act of discrimination had not been in the course of the employment. Citations: Times 23-Feb-1995 Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 4(2) Citing: See also – Adekeye v Post … Continue reading Post Office v Adekeye: EAT 23 Feb 1995
It was not discrimination not to offer English language lessons to a worker. Citations: Gazette 21-Apr-1993 Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 4(2)(b) Discrimination Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.83592
Awards of damages for race discrimination were proper against both the employer, and an individual racist employee. 28k was not too much. Aggravated damages might be appropriate for direct discrimination where a complainant relied upon malice of conduct as a source of aggravation of hurt to feelings. Smith J reviewed the authorities on compensation for … Continue reading Johnson v HM Prison Service and Others: EAT 31 Dec 1996
The claimant was registered as a British subject, but lived in Hong Kong. During the second world war she was interned by the Japanese. She sought a payment now under the ex-gratia prisoner of war scheme. She appealed refusal of benefit, saying the scheme was discriminatory. Held: The appeal succeeded. The scheme distinguished between members … Continue reading Regina (Ellas) v Secretary of State for Defence: QBD 7 Jul 2005
EAT Race Discrimination – Post Employment. Employment Tribunal erred in law in (i) not taking account of prejudice to the ex employer when considering it was just and equitable to extend time in a discrimination claim, (ii) in misinterpreting the application of section 27(A)(2) of the Race Relations Act 1976 and (iii) in misapplying Rhys-Harper … Continue reading South East Essex College and others v Abegaze: EAT 3 Nov 2005
EAT Race Discrimination Racial harassment (s3A). Effect of House of Lords Judgment in Pearce v The Governing Body of Mayfield School re. Burton v de Vere Hotels Ltd on s3A claim. Employment Tribunal strike-out. Need for fact-finding. Appeal allowed.The Tribunal had struck out a claim brought under section 3A of the Race Relations Act. The … Continue reading Gravell v London Borough of Bexley: EAT 2 Mar 2007
EAT Sex Discrimination – DirectThe complainant had been suspended from her position as Vice President of the Law Society. The Society and its officers appealed findings of sex and race discrimination against her. The complainant appealed findings that she had lied to the tribunal on oath, and that the discrimination had been only indirect. Held: … Continue reading The Law Society v Kamlesh Bahl: EAT 7 Jul 2003
The claimant appealed against orders striking out his complaint of unlawful racial discrimination. He had owned a nursing home regulated by the respondent authority. A senior white employee had broken regulations regarding safekeeping of drugs, but he as owner had been prosecuted and struck off. She had not. The home registration was then cancelled. He … Continue reading Balamoody v Manchester Health Authority: EAT 2 Mar 1999
Black students of African origin, had been excluded from school after an incident. They appealed rejection of their claims for race discrimination and victimisation, saying that they had been at first excluded wrongfully. Held: ‘Consideration of motive is rarely an attractive or useful forensic exercise . . . In discrimination cases, the better course is … Continue reading Appiah and Another v Bishop Douglas Roman Catholic High School: CA 26 Jan 2007
Hate-Incident Guidance Inflexible and Unlawful The central issue raised in the appeal is the lawfulness of certain parts of a document entitled the Hate Crime Operational Guidance (the Guidance). The Guidance, issued in 2014 by the College of Policing (the College), the respondent to this appeal, sets out the national policy in relation to the … Continue reading Miller v The College of Policing: CA 20 Dec 2021
EAT Race Discrimination – Prospective employees His Hon Judge Clark EAT/1170/02, [2003] EAT 1170 – 02 – 0906, [2003] UKEAT 1170 – 02 – 0906 Bailii, Bailii, EAT Race Relations Act 1976 78(1) England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Mingeley v Pennock and Another (T/A Amber Cars) CA 9-Feb-2004 The claimant taxi driver … Continue reading Mingeley v Pennock and Ivory T/A Amber Cars: EAT 1 May 2003
EAT Employment Tribunal claim brought out of time because of Solicitor’s negligent advice. Application of British Coal Corporation -v- Keeble [1999] IRLR 337. His Hon Judge Mcmullen QC UKEAT/0851/03, [2004] UKEAT 0851 – 03 – 0704 Bailii, EATn England and Wales Citing: Cited – British Coal Corporation v Keeble and others EAT 26-Mar-1997 The employer … Continue reading Chohan v Derby Law Centre: EAT 2 Mar 2004
EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDUREDisclosureHUMAN RIGHTS(1) The procedure sanctioned by rule 54 of the Employment Tribunals Rules of Procedure, and by the Employment Tribunals (National Security) Rules of Procedure, is not incompatible with a claimant’s right under Art. 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights to a fair hearing of his claim for discrimination, or … Continue reading Tariq v The Home Office: EAT 16 Oct 2009
EAT Victimisation Discrimination – Although allegations of victimisation were made under section 27 of the Equality Act 2010 the Employment Tribunal had directed itself in terms of a comparator as if the case had been brought pursuant to section 2 of the Race Relations Act 1976. Whilst this was an apparently erroneous approach in fact … Continue reading Mangalore v London School of Economics and Political Science: EAT 1 Nov 2013
The court was asked whether the Employment Tribunal had jurisdiction to hear claims of age discrimination brought by the appellant’s employees, based in Hong Kong, but working as crew on flights between there and London. Held: The appeal failed: ‘There was no error of law in the ET’s ruling that Ms Mak did ‘her work … Continue reading British Airways Plc v Mak and Others: CA 24 Feb 2011
Discrimination – History of interactions relevant When a tribunal considered whether the motive for an act was discriminatory, it should look not just at the act, but should make allowance for earlier acts which might throw more light on the act in question. The Tribunal should assess the totality of the evidence on any material … Continue reading Dr Anya v University of Oxford and Another: CA 22 Mar 2001
The absence of any other explanation for the unfair dismissal of a black worker, does not of itself and inescapably lead to finding of race bias, or racial discrimination. He had been dismissed following complaints of sexual harassment, later found to be unsupported. The tribunal reasoned that the dismissal was to be presumed to be … Continue reading Strathclyde Regional Council v Zafar; Zafar v Glasgow City Council: HL 16 Oct 1997
