Blackstone's Guide to the Equality Act 2010

by Wadham, John; Ruebain, David; Robinson, Anthony; Uppal, Susie

• ISBN13: 9780199651962
• ISBN10: 0199651965
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-07-15
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The Equality Act 2010 was an extremely significant reform of UK discrimination law, consolidating the existing complex mass of statutory provisions into one statute. The Act brought new rights against discrimination and imposed new duties on employers, service providers and public authorities, and also introduced a new socio-economic duty on public authorities to reduce the inequalities of outcome which result from socio-economic disadvantage. It defined nine protected characteristics: age, disability, combined grounds, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Much more is now known about the Equality Act in practice; amendments have been made to the Act itself (such as those made as a consequence of insurance premium and gender cases in the European Court of Justice) and statutory guidance to the Act has been produced. Case law on the new provisions is also starting to appear. This fully revised edition of Blackstone's Guide to the Equality Act 2010 covers all recent developments and clearly and concisely explains the intricacies of the Equality Act. Combining the full text of the Act, as amended, with narrative from an expert team, the book is an invaluable resource for all who encounter the evolving legislation.

The Blackstone's Guide Series delivers concise and accessible books covering the latest legislative changes and amendments. Published soon after enactment, they offer expert commentary by leading names on the extent, scope, and effects of the legislation, plus a full copy of the Act itself. They offer a cost-effective solution to key information needs and are the perfect companion for any practitioner needing to get up to speed with the latest changes.

Author Biography

John Wadham is the General Counsel for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), a solicitor, and a recognized expert on human rights and equality. He has acted for clients in most of the courts and tribunals in this country, including in the High Court, Court of Appeal, House of Lords and Supreme Court and specialized in cases before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. He is the co-author of the Blackstone's Guide to the Human Rights Act, Blackstone's Guide to the Freedom of Information Act, and Blackstone's Guide to the Identity Cards Act. John was also a member of the Government's Human Rights Act Task Force. Before moving to the EHRC John spent four years as the full time Deputy Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. John was previously the Director of Liberty (the human rights organization). John has a first degree from the London School of Economics and an MSc. from the University of Surrey.


David Ruebain is currently a non-practising solicitor and had previously practised for 21 years. In June 2010, he took up the post of Chief Executive at the Equality Challenge Unit, which seeks to advance equality in the higher education sector in the UK. Prior to that, David was Director of Legal Policy at the EHRC and, before that, a partner at, and the founder of a department of, education and disability law with Levenes Solicitors. David is also an ADR group accredited mediator, a founding member of The Times Newspaper Law Panel, and a past equality law adviser to the FA Premier League. He has published widely and taught nationally and internationally on education, equality, and disability law and practice. David is the winner of RADAR's People of the Year Award for Achievement in the Furtherance of Human Rights of Disabled People in the UK, 2002. He was also shortlisted for the Law Society's Gazette Centenary Award for Lifetime Achievement-Human Rights, in November 2003.

Anthony Robinson is a solicitor and non-practising barrister and is the Director of Casework & Litigation at the ECHR. He was previously the Legal Director at the Commission for Racial Equality and prior to that worked in local government and in a law centre. He has a professional interest in equality and human rights as well as his previous areas of practice in education law, coroners law, public law and employment & pensions. He has acted in many notable cases in the tribunals as well as in all levels of the court system including the Court of Appeal and House of Lords.


Susie Uppal is a non-practising solicitor and is an ombudsman at The Legal Ombudsman. She was previously the Director of Legal Enforcement at the Equality and Human Rights Commission and before that Head of Enforcement for the Gambling Commission. She has also conducted forensic investigations for the Solicitors Regulation Authority having been in private practice herself for over 14 years. She is a currently member of the Regulatory Affairs Board of the Law Society. In addition to leading a number of high profile investigations, inquiries and actions in domestic courts and European courts she has a wealth of experience in change management and operational delivery.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Background, Sarfraz Khan
2. Protected Characteristics, Razia Karim and Esther Maynard
3. Core Rights and Duties, Keith Ashcroft
4. Employment Rights and Duties, Statutory Office Holders, and Volunteers, Esther Maynard
5. Services, Public Functions, and Transport, Nony Ardill
6. Premises and Education, Catherine Casserley
7. The Public Sector Equality Duty and the Socio-Economic Duty, Ulele Burnham
8. Public Procurement and Transparency in the Private Sector, Tom Brown and Robin Allen QC
9. Enforcement, Glynis Craig
10. Equality of Terms, Rhodri McDonald and Sophie Buckley
11. Redressing the Balance: Positive Action, All Women Shortlists, Associations, and Trade Union Equality Representatives, Robin Allen QC and Rachel Crasnow
12. International Obligations and the Human Rights Act, Peter Reading
Equality Act 2010, as amended