EQUALITY ACT CODES OF PRACTICE

13 October 2010

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published three draft codes of practices. The EHRC says that the new Equality Act is the most significant piece of equality legislation for many years. It will simplify, streamline and strengthen the law. It will give individuals greater protection from unfair discrimination and will make it easier for employers and companies to understand their responsibilities. It will also set a new standard for those who provide public services to treat everyone, with dignity and respect.

In line with our statutory powers, we are producing Codes of Practice on employment; services, public functions and associations; and equal pay. The purpose of these Codes of Practice is to explain the new statutory provisions of the Equality Act. The Codes will help to ensure that the law is applied consistently by lower courts and tribunals. They will also help make the law accessible to a wider audience, such as those who have obligations and those who have rights - or their representatives.

The Codes set out clearly and precisely what the legislation means. They draw on precedent and case law and explain the implications of every clause in technical terms. These statutory codes will be the authoritative source of advice for anyone who wants a rigorous analysis of the legislation's detail. For lawyers, advocates and human resources experts in particular, they will be invaluable.

The Codes have been prepared in consultation with stakeholders and were laid before Parliament on 12 October 2010. The codes remain in draft form until such time as they have laid before Parliament for forty days without objection and the Government makes the Order bringing them into force.

You can view copies of the codes as laid before Parliament below.

Code of Practice on Equal Pay

Download: Code of Practice on Equal Pay (PDF)

Code of Practice on Employment

Download: Code of Practice on Employment (PDF)

Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations

Download: Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations (PDF)