Part IThe Fair Employment Commission, the Fair Employment Tribunal and the functions of the Commission and the Tribunal

The Fair Employment Tribunal for Northern Ireland

6Complaints involving matters within the jurisdiction of industrial tribunal

(1)This section applies where a complaint has been made to the Tribunal under Part III of the [1976 c. 25.] Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976 and it appears to the President or Vice-President that the complaint is one in respect of which—

(a)a complaint could be made to an industrial tribunal on the ground that—

(i)the complainant has been unfairly dismissed within the meaning of Part III of the [S.I. 1976/1043 (N.I. 16).] Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, or

(ii)a person has committed an act of discrimination against the complainant which is unlawful by virtue of Part III of the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, or

(b)a complaint has been made to an industrial tribunal on that ground, but the proceedings under the [S.I. 1976/1043 (N.I. 16).] Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 or the [S.I.1976/1042 (N.I. 15).] Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 have not been disposed of.

(2)Where this section applies and the President or Vice-President considers that any matters which would otherwise fall to be determined by an industrial tribunal could appropriately be heard and determined by the Tribunal, he may direct that those matters shall be so heard and determined.

(3)For the purposes of complying with a direction under subsection (2) above the Tribunal shall have the jurisdiction, and may exercise all the powers, of an industrial tribunal.