An Introduction to The Law of Equality

The Public Sector Equality Duty is often the weakest link in the process of public sector involvement and the first place that campaign groups and lawyers look to raise a legal challenge. Case Law demonstrates that the failure of decision makers to consider the impact of change on protected groups can lead to a reputationally damaging and lengthy pause in change implementation. The need for a sound Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA), which has been informed by meaningful data and people with lived experience is the key to success. But the benefits of really paying due regard to three elements of the duty are better services, which meet people’s needs, increased efficiency and better outcomes for the population.

An understanding of the duties and compliance with The Bracking Principles are fundamentals in equality as the Gunning Principles are to good consultation. Being able to prove that the EqIA has informed decision making and good governance to defend a legal challenge is crucial.