Law and Rights
On 1st October 2010 much of the Equality Act 2010 came into force. It is a large Act - 218 sections and 28 schedules. In addition, there are several statutory instruments fleshing out various aspects of the law. Much of the "equality / anti-discrimination" legislation passed over the last 40 years is replaced. The Government Equalities Office website is a valuable resource of information. Further information is available here.
A number of important aspects of the Equality Act 2010 have not yet been implemented and remain under consideration. These include positive discrimination in recruitment and promotion as well as age discrimination in services and public functions.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also published Guidance and there is a Video Presentation.
Another important area is how the Act will affect charities. Subject to a number of caveats, the Act gives charities an exemption so that they can restrict benefits to people who have a shared "protected characteristic" - (e.g. to provide benefits to old people). The Charity Commission has issued some guidance in this area.
Dealing with persons appearing before courts and tribunals is a further aspect. The Judicial Studies Board has issued - "Fairness in courts and tribunals: A summary of the Equal Treatment Bench Book". This is essential reading for anyone involved in any capacity with courts and tribunals.
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- Her Majesty's Courts And Tribunals Service And Tribunal Structure
On 1st April, an important change came about with the merger of Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) (formed in 2005) and the Tribunal Service (formed 2006). The new body, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, is "Her Majesty's...
- (1) Man Remanded Over Yeates Murder - (2) Discrimination In Provision Of Services
A man has been charged with the murder in December 2010 of Jo Yeates. He is Vincent Tabak and has been remanded in custody by Bristol Magistrates' Court. The actual case may not be discussed since proceedings are "active" but it is of...
- Bonfire Of The Quangos
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Law and Rights
Equality Law
A number of important aspects of the Equality Act 2010 have not yet been implemented and remain under consideration. These include positive discrimination in recruitment and promotion as well as age discrimination in services and public functions.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also published Guidance and there is a Video Presentation.
Another important area is how the Act will affect charities. Subject to a number of caveats, the Act gives charities an exemption so that they can restrict benefits to people who have a shared "protected characteristic" - (e.g. to provide benefits to old people). The Charity Commission has issued some guidance in this area.
Dealing with persons appearing before courts and tribunals is a further aspect. The Judicial Studies Board has issued - "Fairness in courts and tribunals: A summary of the Equal Treatment Bench Book". This is essential reading for anyone involved in any capacity with courts and tribunals.
- The New Directive On Discrimination Against Eu Citizen Workers: Spitting Into The Wind?
Steve Peers Surprisingly enough, despite the public controversy about the number of EU citizens who are workers ('EU workers') who move between Member States, the Council and the European Parliament have recently agreed on new legislation on...
- Violence Against Women: Can Eu Law Play A Bigger Role In Combatting It?
Steve Peers Today's report from the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) on the scale of violence against women within the European Union is simultaneously an enormously impressive attempt to collect standardised data on this important issue,...
- Her Majesty's Courts And Tribunals Service And Tribunal Structure
On 1st April, an important change came about with the merger of Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) (formed in 2005) and the Tribunal Service (formed 2006). The new body, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, is "Her Majesty's...
- (1) Man Remanded Over Yeates Murder - (2) Discrimination In Provision Of Services
A man has been charged with the murder in December 2010 of Jo Yeates. He is Vincent Tabak and has been remanded in custody by Bristol Magistrates' Court. The actual case may not be discussed since proceedings are "active" but it is of...
- Bonfire Of The Quangos
Those public bodies known as ?Quangos? ? the acronym for ?Quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations? ? are no longer flavour of the month within government circles even though many of them have important legal and/or regulatory roles. There...