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Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland v Bone: 15 Sep 1993

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

Savjani v Inland Revenue Commissioners: CA 1981

The question arose as whether the Inland Revenue were concerned with the provision of services in their activities relating to the adminsitration of the taxation system, so as to bring them within section 20 of the 1976 Act. Held: They were providing services.Templeman LJ said: ‘The Race Relations Act 1976 undoubtedly poses and is continually … Continue reading Savjani v Inland Revenue Commissioners: CA 1981

Kirby v Manpower Services Commission: EAT 1980

The applicant, an employee at a job centre was demoted because he had disclosed confidential information about possible contraventions of the race relations legislation. He complained of race discrimination, saying his disclosure was a protected act. Held: This was not victimisation within section 2. The relevant question was whether the employers had treated the complainant … Continue reading Kirby v Manpower Services Commission: EAT 1980

Orphanos v Queen Mary College: HL 1985

The complainant, a Cypriot, argued that the respondent college’s practice, determined by government policy, of charging higher fees to ‘overseas’ students than to ‘home’ students indirectly discriminated against him on the ground of his race. ‘Overseas’ students were defined as those who had not been resident in the UK or the EEC for the three … Continue reading Orphanos v Queen Mary College: HL 1985

Marks and Spencer Plc v Martins: CA 19 Dec 1997

The court emphasised the ubiquitous need to make the findings of primary fact without which it is impossible to consider the drawing of relevant inferences. A tribunal hearing a race discrimination case must ask the question as put by the Act; there was a fundamental flaw in the decision in asking and answering wrong question. … Continue reading Marks and Spencer Plc v Martins: CA 19 Dec 1997

Elmi v Harrods Ltd and Another Harrods Ltd v Remick Harrods Ltd v Seeley: CA 17 Jul 1997

The claimants alleged that the way in which Harrods organised their sales worked as race discrimination. Harrods now appealed against decisions that such a case might be brought under section 7 of the 1976 Act. Citations: [1998] ICR 156, [1997] IRLR 583, [1998] 1 All ER 52, [1997] EWCA Civ 2126 Links: Bailii Statutes: Race … Continue reading Elmi v Harrods Ltd and Another Harrods Ltd v Remick Harrods Ltd v Seeley: CA 17 Jul 1997

Dr Adoko v Law Society: CA 7 Mar 1997

The appellant had complained to the Employment Tribunal alleging race discrimination by the Respondent. That claim had failed, and several appeals had also failed. The claim alleged indirect discrimination, and the respondent admitted unwitting indirect discrimination, and accordingly no damages were payable. Because of his manner of conduct of the proceedings, including disclosure of matters … Continue reading Dr Adoko v Law Society: CA 7 Mar 1997

Post Office v Adekeye: CA 13 Nov 1996

Race discrimination which took place after a dismissal was not unlawful within the section, since that first required the context of employment, and after the dismissal, the applicant was no longer in that employment. The natural meaning of the phrase ’employed by him’ in section 4 (2) was confined to persons employed at the time … Continue reading Post Office v Adekeye: CA 13 Nov 1996

Dr Tattari v Private Patients Plan Limited: CA 8 Jul 1997

Health insurer is not body providing qualification to carry on profession or trade and not liable as such in race discrimination laws. Citations: Times 24-Jul-1997, [1997] EWCA Civ 2046 Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 12 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Kelly v Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Loughran v Northern Ireland Housing Executive … Continue reading Dr Tattari v Private Patients Plan Limited: CA 8 Jul 1997

Khan v General Medical Council: CA 11 Apr 1994

The appellant’s application for full registration as a qualified medical practitioner had been refused by the GMC after a five-year maximum period of limited registration. His application for full registration in accordance with section 25 of the Medical Act 1983 was refused by the GMC. He then applied to the Review Board for Overseas Qualified … Continue reading Khan v General Medical Council: CA 11 Apr 1994

Aniagwu v London Borough of Hackney and Another: EAT 11 Feb 1998

Appeal from refusal of jurisdiction Judges: Morison P J Citations: [1998] UKEAT 116 – 98 – 1102 Links: Bailii Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976, Trade Union and Labour Relation (Consolidation) Act 1992 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: See Also – Aniagwu v London Borough of Hackney and Another EAT 2-Sep-1998 . .See Also – … Continue reading Aniagwu v London Borough of Hackney and Another: EAT 11 Feb 1998

De Souza v Automobile Association: CA 19 Dec 1985

The claimant appealed against a finding that there had been no race discrimation in her case. She had overheard a manager refer to her as ‘the wog’. She said that this was sufficient to mean that she suffered a detriment. The employer replied that the word detriment shouldbe looked at not by the effect on … Continue reading De Souza v Automobile Association: CA 19 Dec 1985

Tchoula v Netto Foodstores Ltd: EAT 14 Jul 1997

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

Tower Boot Company Limited v Jones: CA 11 Dec 1996

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

Irving and Irving v Post Office: CA 1987

The defendant’s employee disliked his neighbours – the plaintiffs. Whilst working in the sorting office, he wrote racially abusive materials on letters addressed to them. The plaintiffs appealed a finding that the defendant was not liable because the acts were not carried out as part of the employee’s work. Held: The test was whether the … Continue reading Irving and Irving v Post Office: CA 1987

Glasgow City Council v Zafar: SCS 1997

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

Marks and Spencer Plc v Martins: 1998

The court considered how a claimant can establish a claim for race discrimination. Mummery LJ said: ‘The first part of the question is: ‘Was the applicant treated less favourably than they treated or would treat another person of a different racial group in the same or relevantly similar circumstances? The answer requires a comparison to … Continue reading Marks and Spencer Plc v Martins: 1998

D’Souza v London Borough of Lambeth: EAT 14 Jan 1998

A re-instatement award after a finding of racial discrimination is in two stage process. The first part consisting of the order for re-instatement stays the balance of the award provisionally until the order for re-instatement has been complied with or otherwise. Citations: Gazette 14-Jan-1998 Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See … Continue reading D’Souza v London Borough of Lambeth: EAT 14 Jan 1998

Meikle v Nottingham City Council: EAT 14 Apr 1994

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

Hampson v Department of Education and Science: HL 7 Jun 1990

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

Sougrin v Haringey Health Authority: EAT 31 Jul 1991

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

Weathersfield Ltd (T/a Van and Truck Rentals) v Sargent: CA 10 Dec 1998

The employer, a vehicle hire operator, explained to the Claimant employee following her appointment as a receptionist their policy that if she received an enquiry from any coloured or Asians, judging by their voices, she was to tell them that there were no vehicles available. Upset by that policy she promptly resigned, and later claimed … Continue reading Weathersfield Ltd (T/a Van and Truck Rentals) v Sargent: CA 10 Dec 1998

Rovenska v General Medical Council: CA 4 Dec 1996

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

Ali v Pindersfields Hospitals NHS Trust: EAT 11 Apr 1997

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

Burton and Another v De Vere Hotels: EAT 3 Oct 1996

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

Bossa v Nordstress Ltd: EAT 13 Mar 1998

The defendant company had refused to employ the complainant at Heathrow on the basis that he was Italian, and relied upon exemptions in the 1976 Act. Held: A Statutory provision which permitted discrimination against a worker employed in Europe operated against the Treaty obligation to afford free movement of workers and is to be ignored. … Continue reading Bossa v Nordstress Ltd: EAT 13 Mar 1998

Regina v Commission for Racial Equality (ex parte Westminster City Council): QBD 1984

The council had dismissed a black road sweeper to whose appointment the trade union objected on racial grounds. Held: The council’s motive for doing so, to avert industrial action, could not avail them. Woolf J said: ‘In this case although the employer’s motives are wholly unobjectionable, he is clearly treating the black employee less favourably … Continue reading Regina v Commission for Racial Equality (ex parte Westminster City Council): QBD 1984

Lupetti v Wrens Old House Ltd: EAT 1984

The applicant was given notice on 3rd February 1983 terminating his employment on 28th February 1983. The question arose on appeal whether the date of the notice or the date when he left employment was the relevant date. Held: With a discriminatory dismissal, time does not run until the notice of dismissal has expired and … Continue reading Lupetti v Wrens Old House Ltd: EAT 1984

Zarcynska v Levy: EAT 1978

Judges: Kilner Brown J Citations: [1978] IRLR 532 Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Showboat Entertainment Centre v Owens EAT 28-Oct-1983 The employer had dismissed an employee who had refused to comply with a discriminatory instruction by the employer to exclude blacks from the employer’s amusement centre. The … Continue reading Zarcynska v Levy: EAT 1978

Anyanwu and Another v South Bank Students’ Union and Another: CA 4 Nov 1999

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

Regina v Entry Clearance Officer, Bombay, Ex parte Amin: HL 1983

The House was asked whether the grant of special vouchers under the special voucher scheme introduced came within section 29 of the 1975 Act. Acts performed pursuant to a government function did not come within the meaning of service. Discrimination laws did not apply to acts done on behalf of the Crown which were of … Continue reading Regina v Entry Clearance Officer, Bombay, Ex parte Amin: HL 1983

Chattopadhyay v Headmaster of Holloway School: EAT 1981

The appellant, an Indian teacher had applied unsuccessfully for the post of head of history at Holloway School. He complained of race discrimination. Held: Browne-Wilkinson P said: ‘As has been pointed out many times, a person complaining that he has been unlawfully discriminated against faces great difficulties. There is normally not available to him any … Continue reading Chattopadhyay v Headmaster of Holloway School: EAT 1981

Sidhu v Aerospace Composite Technology Ltd: EAT 10 Nov 1999

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

Johnson v HM Prison Service and Others: EAT 31 Dec 1996

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

James v Eastleigh Borough Council: CA 1985

The plaintiff was used to going swimming. He was 60. He complained that whereas his wife, of the same age was admitted free, he had had to pay .75p. He claimed sex discrimination. Held: Though his claim failed, Sir Nicolas Browne-Wilkinson V-C said: ‘it is not permissible for a defendant in such a case to … Continue reading James v Eastleigh Borough Council: CA 1985

Strathclyde Regional Council v Zafar; Zafar v Glasgow City Council: HL 16 Oct 1997

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

King v Great Britain China Centre: CA 1991

The court considered the nature of evidence which will be available to tribunals considering a race discrimination claim. Held: A complainant must prove his or her case on the balance of probabilities, but it is unusual to find direct evidence of racial discrimination, and a case will usually depend on what inferences can properly be … Continue reading King v Great Britain China Centre: CA 1991

Swiggs and others v Nagarajan: HL 15 Jul 1999

Bias may not be intentional The applicant claimed that he had been denied appointment to a job with London Regional Transport because he had brought a number of previous race discrimination claims against it or associated companies. An industrial tribunal had upheld his claim of victimisation contrary to section 2(1) of the 1976 Act, finding … Continue reading Swiggs and others v Nagarajan: HL 15 Jul 1999

Science Research Council v Nasse; BL Cars Ltd (formerly Leyland Cars) v Voias: HL 1 Nov 1979

Recent statutes had given redress to anyone suffering unlawful discrimination on account of race sex or trade union activities. An employee sought discovery of documents from his employer which might reveal such discrimination. Held: The court ought not to order breach of properly given confidences unless it is necessary in the interests of justice. Lord … Continue reading Science Research Council v Nasse; BL Cars Ltd (formerly Leyland Cars) v Voias: HL 1 Nov 1979