Category: equality

The Service Justice System under question regarding the continuation of the jurisdiction to investigate and conduct trials in serious sexual assault and rape cases – Thomas More Chambers

Posted June 2nd, 2020 in armed forces, courts martial, equality, human rights, judicial review, news, prosecutions, rape by sally

‘The Centre for Military Justice, acting on behalf of three female service personnel has sent a pre – action protocol letter to the Ministry of Defence with regard to three cases which the service justice system (SJS) has conducted and their assertion appears to be that these victims were discriminated against. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) response is due this week. We have not seen the letter nor do we expect to see the response. The Centre for Military Justice stating publicly that by the end of the month they will issue proceedings in the High Court for Judicial Review (JR) citing action for discrimination under both the Human Rights Act and Equality Act. We await sight of the claim and then the defence.’

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Thomas More Chambers, 14th May 2020

Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk

Equal Pay Act: Why Are Women And Minorities Still Paid Unfairly 50 Years On? – Each Other

Posted June 1st, 2020 in employment, equality, news, race discrimination, remuneration, sex discrimination, women by sally

‘“Whether it’s being denied flexible working and having to work fewer hours as a result, or finding out you’re paid £3,000 less than a white man with the same job title and fewer responsibilities; it’s always crushing being treated worse than your peers.”

Those are the words of Sophia Moreau, who has experienced unequal pay repeatedly throughout her late teens and early 20s. The journalist and campaigner said that she has come to a “sad realisation” that, as a black woman, she cannot expect fair treatment.’

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Each Other, 29th May 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

29,000 claims a year despite 50 years since Equal Pay Act – The Guardian

Posted May 28th, 2020 in employment, employment tribunals, equality, news, remuneration, sex discrimination, statistics, women by sally

‘A consistently high number of workers are alleging that their employers are illegally paying them less than colleagues in similar roles, according to research released to mark the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act.’

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The Guardian, 25th May 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

First hijab-wearing UK court judge hopes to be ‘trailblazer’ – BBC News

Posted May 28th, 2020 in diversity, equality, Islam, judges, judicial appointments commission, judiciary, news by sally

‘A woman who is the first UK deputy district judge to wear a hijab said she hoped to be a “trailblazer”.’

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BBC News, 27th May 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Woman who makes involuntary sounds fails in judicial review challenge over noise abatement notice – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 26th, 2020 in disability discrimination, disabled persons, environmental protection, equality, judicial review, local government, news, noise, notification, proportionality by sally

‘A 67-year-old retired primary school teacher who has a neurological disorder that causes her to make involuntary sounds and noises has failed in a judicial review challenge over a noise abatement notice.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 26th May 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

How Being Legally Recognised As A Trans Woman Changed My Life – Each Other

Posted May 21st, 2020 in equality, gender, news, transgender persons by sally

‘Dee is one of approximately just 6,000 transgender people to have obtained a GRC under the Gender Recognition Act since it came into force in 2005. This statistic speaks volumes when compared with the actual number of trans people living in the UK which, according to the Government Equalities Office, is estimated at between 200,000 and 500,000.’

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Each Other, 20th May 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

Female barristers warn of “disproportionate attrition” during Covid-19 – Legal Futures

Posted May 20th, 2020 in barristers, coronavirus, diversity, equality, legal profession, news, sex discrimination, women by sally

‘Female barristers have urged the courts and chambers to take action to avoid the coronavirus crisis leading to “further and disproportionate attrition of women from the Bar”.’

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Legal Futures, 20th May 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Making defendants state nationality is ‘racialising’ UK courts – report – The Guardian

Posted May 18th, 2020 in courts, criminal justice, disclosure, equality, legal profession, news, race discrimination, statistics by sally

‘The impartiality of the criminal justice system is being undermined by the requirement that defendants declare their nationality at the start of proceedings, a report into the legislation has said.’

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The Guardian, 18th May 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Covid-19 “exacerbating” inequality in profession – Legal Futures

Posted May 15th, 2020 in barristers, coronavirus, equality, legal profession, mental health, news, solicitors, statistics, women by sally

‘Women lawyers are worried that the coronavirus crisis is exacerbating inequalities in the profession, with the pandemic hitting them hard, a survey has found.’

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Legal Futures, 15th May 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Changes to the EHCP regime during Covid-19: a quick guide for parents and representatives – Monckton Chambers

Posted May 15th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, disabled persons, education, equality, learning difficulties, local government, news, school children by sally

‘On 1 May 2020, the entitlements of children with SEND (and their parents) in relation to the Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan process changed. The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (the “New Regulations”) came into force. They will expire on 25 September 2020 unless extended. The New Regulations amend four existing sets of Regulations including the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 (the “SEND Regulations”).’

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Monckton Chambers, 12th May 2020

Source: www.monckton.com

Disability discrimination claim for failure to make reasonable adjustments? – Rakova v London West Healthcare NHS Trust UKEAT/0043/19/LA – 3PB

Posted May 13th, 2020 in appeals, chambers articles, disability discrimination, disabled persons, employment, employment tribunals, equality, hospitals, news, nurses by sally

‘Employees can often complain where they feel that their managers are not giving them the tools they need to do their jobs efficiently, effectively or productively. How does that situation relate to a disability discrimination claim for failure to make reasonable adjustments? – Rakova v London North West Healthcare NHS Trust UKEAT/0043/19/LA.’

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3PB, May 2020

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

Disabled claimant to challenge NHS England guidance restricting hospital visitors – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 12th, 2020 in coronavirus, disabled persons, equality, hospitals, human rights, judicial review, news by sally

‘A disabled woman has sent a pre-action protocol letter to NHS England over its “Visitor guidance”, which imposes restrictions on those entering hospitals.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 11th May 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Coronavirus: locking the over 70’s away? – Cloisters

Posted May 5th, 2020 in age discrimination, coronavirus, elderly, equality, human rights, news by sally

‘As part of our series considering the human rights and equality implications of Covid-19, Declan O’Dempsey considers proposals being floated that would single out the over 70s for shielding and social distancing, once lockdown measures for other age groups are eased.’

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Cloisters, 1st May 2020

Source: www.cloisters.com

Errol Graham death: Judicial review move over DWP policy – BBC News

Posted May 4th, 2020 in benefits, bereavement, causing death of children or vulnerable adults, disabled persons, equality, government departments, human rights, inquests, judicial review, mental health, news by sally

‘The family of a mentally ill man who starved to death after his benefits were cut have applied for a judicial review of government policy.’

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BBC News, 1st May 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Campaigners given permission for legal challenge over guidance from council on transgender issues in schools – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 1st, 2020 in education, equality, gender, judicial review, local government, news, school children, transgender persons by sally

‘The High Court has granted a campaign group permission for a judicial review challenge over Oxfordshire County Council’s guidance on transgender issues in schools.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 29th April 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Department for Education relaxes statutory timescales in four sets of regulations relating to SEN system – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 1st, 2020 in coronavirus, disabled persons, education, equality, learning difficulties, local government, news, school children by sally

‘Various statutory deadlines in four sets of regulations dealing with special educational needs and disabilities, principally those that relate to EHC [Education, Health and Care] needs assessment and plan processes, will be modified with effect from tomorrow (1 May).’

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Local Government Lawyer, 30th April 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

“Misguided” solicitor fined over offensive remark – Legal Futures

Posted May 1st, 2020 in disciplinary procedures, diversity, equality, fines, news, professional conduct, solicitors, Solicitors Regulation Authority by sally

‘A veteran solicitor who made an “inappropriate and offensive remark” while trying to pay a compliment has been fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).’

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Legal Futures, 30th April 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

‘Justice not charity’ – the blind marchers who made history – BBC News

Posted May 1st, 2020 in demonstrations, disability discrimination, disabled persons, employment, equality, news, remuneration, trade unions by sally

‘A century ago blind and partially sighted people marched on London to lobby the government to improve their living and working conditions. The 1920 Blind March has become a milestone in the history of the disability rights movement. But as recreating a large gathering is not possible in current circumstances, blind people are using their daily personal exercise to mark the anniversary.’

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BBC News, 30th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Transgender man loses appeal court battle to be registered as father – The Guardian

Posted May 1st, 2020 in appeals, birth certificates, equality, gender, news, parental rights, transgender persons by sally

‘A transgender man who gave birth has lost his appeal court battle to be registered as a father in a case that wrestled with the legal definition of motherhood and transgender rights.’

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The Guardian, 29th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Frontline Doctors Challenging The Government’s Handling Of Covid-19 – Each Other

Posted April 29th, 2020 in coronavirus, doctors, equality, government departments, health, health & safety, hospitals, judicial review, news, standards by sally

‘On Thursday (23 April), the couple launched a legal challenge against the government’s guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE), which they argue exposes them to coronavirus infections.’

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Each Other, 28th April 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk