Equality and Human Rights Commission Co-Working

Equality and Human Rights Commission

I worked with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on the preparation of two successful legal actions taken against Brighton & Hove City Council for the victimisation and discrimination of an ex-employee. I co-wrote the two successful applications to the Employment Tribunals. The victim and I described and analysed the acts of discrimination and victimisation. I then successfully negotiated with the Commission to sponsor the legal action, via Blake Lapthorn - one of the UK's leading full service law firms. I liaised regularly with well-known barristers, such as Stephanie Harrison QC, solicitors and officers throughout the process of preparing the cases, giving vital input until they were completed and Brighton & Hove City Council were found guilty on five counts. The Council also lodged an Appeal against the Tribunal’s decision, but withdrew it.

The success and background to these cases are very significant and receiving increasing public interest. I have been liaising with the press to promote the issues and raise awareness. The Times Education Supplement magazine and website published a feature in September 2008. G-Scene has published three articles on this story in their downloadable magazine or blog. The first article (pg.6) is in the October 2007 magazine issue, the second is a blog "Brighton Council found guilty of discrimination" on 26 November 2007. Thirdly, there's a new blog and a printed magazine article (pg.6) for October 2008, "City Council named and shamed as a discriminatory employer in The Times Educational Supplement." Web based newsgroups and forums are sharing the news widely and web traffic to the website is coming from many countries.

The Commission works to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society. It has extensive legal powers and a dedicated directorate of expert lawyers who are specialists in equality law. They are well equipped to take legal action on behalf of individuals, especially where there are strategic opportunities to push the boundaries of the law. Where there are chances to create legal precedents or to clarify and improve the law, the commission will seek to do so.