Part VIIU.K. Supplemental

[F153A Codes of practice.E+W+S

[F2(1)The Disability Rights Commission may prepare and issue codes of practice giving practical guidance on how to avoid discrimination, or on any other matter relating to the operation of any provision of Part 2, 3 or 4, to—

(a)employers;

(b)service providers;

(c)bodies which are responsible bodies for the purposes of Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4; or

(d)other persons to whom the provisions of Parts 2 or 3 or Chapter 2 of Part 4 apply.

(1A)The Commission may also prepare and issue codes of practice giving practical guidance to any persons on any other matter with a view to—

(a)promoting the equalisation of opportunities for disabled persons and persons who have had a disability; or

(b)encouraging good practice in the way such persons are treated,

in any field of activity regulated by any provision of Part 2, 3 or 4.

(1B)Neither subsection (1) nor (1A) applies in relation to any duty imposed by or under sections 28D or 28E.]

(2)The Commission shall, when requested to do so by the Secretary of State, prepare a code of practice dealing with the matters specified in the request.

(3)In preparing a code of practice the Commission shall carry out such consultations as it considers appropriate (which shall include the publication for public consultation of proposals relating to the code).

(4)The Commission may not issue a code of practice unless—

(a)a draft of it has been submitted to and approved by the Secretary of State and laid by him before both Houses of Parliament; and

(b)the 40 day period has elapsed without either House resolving not to approve the draft.

(5)If the Secretary of State does not approve a draft code of practice submitted to him he shall give the Commission a written statement of his reasons.

(6)A code of practice issued by the Commission—

(a)shall come into effect on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint;

(b)may be revised in whole or part, and re-issued, by the Commission; and

(c)may be revoked by an order made by the Secretary of State at the request of the Commission.

(7)Where the Commission proposes to revise a code of practice—

(a)it shall comply with subsection (3) in relation to the revisions; and

(b)the other provisions of this section apply to the revised code of practice as they apply to a new code of practice.

(8)Failure to observe any provision of a code of practice does not of itself make a person liable to any proceedings F3. . ..

[F4(8A)But if a provision of a code of practice appears to a court, tribunal or other body hearing any proceedings under Part 2, 3 or 4 to be relevant, it must take that provision into account.]

(9)In this section—

• “code of practice” means a code of practice under this section;

• “discrimination” means anything which is unlawful discrimination for the purposes of any provision of Part II [F5, 3 or 4]; and

• “40 day period” has the same meaning in relation to a draft code of practice as it has in section 3 in relation to draft guidance.]

[F654A Codes of practice.N.I.

(1)The Commission may prepare and issue codes of practice giving practical guidance—

(a)to employers, service providers or other persons to whom provisions of Part II or Part III apply on how to avoid discrimination or on any other matter relating to the operation of those provisions in relation to them; or

(b)to any persons on any other matter, with a view to—

(i)promoting the equalisation of opportunities for disabled persons and persons who have had a disability, or

(ii)encouraging good practice regarding the treatment of such persons,

in any field of activity regulated by any provision of Part II or Part III.

(2)The Commission shall, when requested to do so by the Office, prepare a code of practice dealing with the matters specified in the request.

(3)In preparing a code of practice the Commission shall carry out such consultations as it considers appropriate (which shall include the publication for public consultation of proposals relating to the code).

(4)The Commission may not issue a code of practice unless—

(a)a draft of it has been submitted to and approved by the Office and laid by the Office before the Assembly; and

(b)the statutory period has elapsed without the Assembly resolving not to approve the draft.

(5)If the Office does not approve a draft code of practice submitted to it the Office shall give the Commission a written statement of its reasons.

(6)A code of practice issued by the Commission—

(a)shall come into effect on such day as the Office may by order appoint;

(b)may be revised in whole or part, and re-issued, by the Commission; and

(c)may be revoked by an order made by the Office at the request of the Commission.

(7)Where the Commission proposes to revise a code of practice—

(a)it shall comply with subsection (3) in relation to the revisions; and

(b)the other provisions of this section apply to the revised code of practice as they apply to a new code of practice.

(8)Failure to observe any provision of a code of practice does not of itself make a person liable to any proceedings, but any provision of a code which appears to a court or tribunal to be relevant to any question arising in any proceedings under Part II or Part III shall be taken into account in determining that question.

(9)In this section—

• “code of practice” means a code of practice under this section;

• “the Commission” means the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland;

• “discrimination” means anything which is unlawful discrimination for the purposes of any provision of Part II or Part III;

• “the Office” means the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister; and

• “statutory period” has the meaning assigned to it by section 41(2) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954.]

[F753 Codes of practice prepared by the Secretary of State.E+W+S

F7(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)A failure on the part of any person to observe any provision of a code does not of itself make that person liable to any proceedings.

(5)A code is admissible in evidence in any proceedings under this Act before an [F8employment tribunal], a county court or a sheriff court.

(6)If any provision of a code appears to a tribunal or court to be relevant to any question arising in any proceedings under this Act, it shall be taken into account in determining that question.

(7)In this section and section 54 “code” means a code issued by the Secretary of State under this section and includes a code which has been revised and re-issued.

F7(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[F1753 Codes of practice prepared by the Secretary of State.N.I.

F17(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F17(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F17(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)A failure on the part of any person to observe any provision of a code does not of itself make that person liable to any proceedings.

(5)A code is admissible in evidence in any proceedings under this Act before an industrial tribunal, [F18or a county court].

(6)If any provision of a code appears to a tribunal or court to be relevant to any question arising in any proceedings under this Act, it shall be taken into account in determining that question.

(7)In this section and section 54 “code” means a code issued by the Secretary of State under this section and includes a code which has been revised and re-issued.

F17(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F17(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[F9F1054F10 Further provision about codes issued under section 53.U.K.

F9(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F9(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F9(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F9(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F9(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F9(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F9(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8)The Secretary of State may by order revoke a code.

F9(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

55 Victimisation.E+W+S

(1)For the purposes of Part II [F11, Part 3 or Part 4], a person (“A”) discriminates against another person (“B”) if—

(a)he treats B less favourably than he treats or would treat other persons whose circumstances are the same as B’s; and

(b)he does so for a reason mentioned in subsection (2).

(2)The reasons are that—

(a)B has—

(i)brought proceedings against A or any other person under this Act; or

(ii)given evidence or information in connection with such proceedings brought by any person; or

(iii)otherwise done anything under this Act in relation to A or any other person; or

(iv)alleged that A or any other person has (whether or not the allegation so states) contravened this Act; or

(b)A believes or suspects that B has done or intends to do any of those things.

(3)Where B is a disabled person, or a person who has had a disability, the disability in question shall be disregarded in comparing his circumstances with those of any other person for the purposes of subsection (1)(a).

[F12(3A)For the purposes of Chapter 1 of Part 4—

(a)references in subsection (2) to B include references to—

(i)a person who is, for the purposes of that Chapter, B’s parent; and

(ii)a sibling of B; and

(b)references in that subsection to this Act are, as respects a person mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) of paragraph (a), restricted to that Chapter.]

(4)Subsection (1) does not apply to treatment of a person because of an allegation made by him if the allegation was false and not made in good faith.

55 Victimisation.N.I.

(1)For the purposes of Part II or Part III, a person (“A”) discriminates against another person (“B”) if—

(a)he treats B less favourably than he treats or would treat other persons whose circumstances are the same as B’s; and

(b)he does so for a reason mentioned in subsection (2).

(2)The reasons are that—

(a)B has—

(i)brought proceedings against A or any other person under this Act; or

(ii)given evidence or information in connection with such proceedings brought by any person; or

(iii)otherwise done anything under this Act in relation to A or any other person; or

(iv)alleged that A or any other person has (whether or not the allegation so states) contravened this Act; or

(b)A believes or suspects that B has done or intends to do any of those things.

(3)Where B is a disabled person, or a person who has had a disability, the disability in question shall be disregarded in comparing his circumstances with those of any other person for the purposes of subsection (1)(a).

(4)Subsection (1) does not apply to treatment of a person because of an allegation made by him if the allegation was false and not made in good faith.

56 Help for persons suffering discrimination.E+W+S

(1)For the purposes of this section—

(a)a person who considers that he may have been discriminated against, in contravention of any provision of Part II, is referred to as “the complainant”; and

(b)a person against whom the complainant may decide to make, or has made, a complaint under Part II is referred to as “the respondent”.

(2)The Secretary of State shall, with a view to helping the complainant to decide whether to make a complaint against the respondent and, if he does so, to formulate and present his case in the most effective manner, by order prescribe—

(a)forms by which the complainant may question the respondent on his reasons for doing any relevant act, or on any other matter which is or may be relevant; and

(b)forms by which the respondent may if he so wishes reply to any questions.

(3)Where the complainant questions the respondent in accordance with forms prescribed by an order under subsection (2)—

(a)the question, and any reply by the respondent (whether in accordance with such an order or not), shall be admissible as evidence in any proceedings under Part II;

(b)if it appears to the tribunal in any such proceedings—

(i)that the respondent deliberately, and without reasonable excuse, omitted to reply within a reasonable period, or

(ii)that the respondent’s reply is evasive or equivocal,

it may draw any inference which it considers it just and equitable to draw, including an inference that the respondent has contravened a provision of Part II.

(4)The Secretary of State may by order prescribe—

(a)the period within which questions must be duly served in order to be admissible under subsection (3)(a); and

(b)the manner in which a question, and any reply by the respondent, may be duly served.

(5)This section is without prejudice to any other enactment or rule of law regulating interlocutory and preliminary matters in proceedings before an [F13employment tribunal], and has effect subject to any enactment or rule of law regulating the admissibility of evidence in such proceedings.

56 Help for persons suffering discrimination.N.I.

(1)For the purposes of this section—

(a)a person who considers that he may have been discriminated against, in contravention of any provision of Part II, is referred to as “the complainant”; and

(b)a person against whom the complainant may decide to make, or has made, a complaint under Part II is referred to as “the respondent”.

(2)The Secretary of State shall, with a view to helping the complainant to decide whether to make a complaint against the respondent and, if he does so, to formulate and present his case in the most effective manner, by order prescribe—

(a)forms by which the complainant may question the respondent on his reasons for doing any relevant act, or on any other matter which is or may be relevant; and

(b)forms by which the respondent may if he so wishes reply to any questions.

(3)Where the complainant questions the respondent in accordance with forms prescribed by an order under subsection (2)—

(a)the question, and any reply by the respondent (whether in accordance with such an order or not), shall be admissible as evidence in any proceedings under Part II;

(b)if it appears to the tribunal in any such proceedings—

(i)that the respondent deliberately, and without reasonable excuse, omitted to reply within a reasonable period, or

(ii)that the respondent’s reply is evasive or equivocal,

it may draw any inference which it considers it just and equitable to draw, including an inference that the respondent has contravened a provision of Part II.

(4)The Secretary of State may by order prescribe—

(a)the period within which questions must be duly served in order to be admissible under subsection (3)(a); and

(b)the manner in which a question, and any reply by the respondent, may be duly served.

(5)This section is without prejudice to any other enactment or rule of law regulating interlocutory and preliminary matters in proceedings before an industrial tribunal, and has effect subject to any enactment or rule of law regulating the admissibility of evidence in such proceedings.

57 Aiding unlawful acts.U.K.

(1)A person who knowingly aids another person to do an [F14unlawful act] is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as himself doing the same kind of unlawful act.

(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), an employee or agent for whose act the employer or principal is liable under section 58 (or would be so liable but for section 58(5)) shall be taken to have aided the employer or principal to do the act.

(3)For the purposes of this section, a person does not knowingly aid another to do an unlawful act if—

(a)he acts in reliance on a statement made to him by that other person that, because of any provision of this Act, the act would not be unlawful; and

(b)it is reasonable for him to rely on the statement.

(4)A person who knowingly or recklessly makes such a statement which is false or misleading in a material respect is guilty of an offence.

(5)Any person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

[F15(6)“Unlawful act” means an act made unlawful by any provision of this Act other than a provision contained in Chapter 1 of Part 4.]

58 Liability of employers and principals.U.K.

(1)Anything done by a person in the course of his employment shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as also done by his employer, whether or not it was done with the employer’s knowledge or approval.

(2)Anything done by a person as agent for another person with the authority of that other person shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as also done by that other person.

(3)Subsection (2) applies whether the authority was—

(a)express or implied; or

(b)given before or after the act in question was done.

(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in relation to an offence under section 57(4).

(5)In proceedings under this Act against any person in respect of an act alleged to have been done by an employee of his, it shall be a defence for that person to prove that he took such steps as were reasonably practicable to prevent the employee from—

(a)doing that act; or

(b)doing, in the course of his employment, acts of that description.

59 Statutory authority and national security etc.U.K.

(1)Nothing in this Act makes unlawful any act done—

(a)in pursuance of any enactment; or

(b)in pursuance of any instrument made by a Minister of the Crown under any enactment; or

(c)to comply with any condition or requirement imposed by a Minister of the Crown (whether before or after the passing of this Act) by virtue of any enactment.

(2)In subsection (1) “enactment” includes one passed or made after the date on which this Act is passed and “instrument” includes one made after that date.

(3)Nothing in this Act makes unlawful any act done for the purpose of safeguarding national security.