What next for discrimination advice? presentation by Flora Williams of Law Centres Federation.

2. Overall aim of today’s session:
To bring delegates up to date with recent developments in
the discrimination advice sector.
Session Objectives:
By the end of this 1.5hr session, delegates will:
Become informed of developments in discrimination
advice provision;
Be able to analyse the impact of the developments for
their advice service and clients;
Develop plans to meet gaps as relevant to their service

3. Order of session
Context and background
Current situation - including
significant developments
The future?

4. Context & Background
Previously, discrimination advice was funded through:
EHRC - legal grants & S28 for strategic cases – over 70
agencies funded across UK
Legal Aid – General help & casework only
Local Authority – some level of availability
 London Councils – Employment contracts
Trusts and charitable sector funding

5. The current situation
Change in govt has resulted in new proposals and approaches –
ideological shift. Wider reforms and Red tape. Reduction.
Equality Act 2010 – repeals and changes to Act
EHRC powers reduced and budget significantly reduced
Questionnaire procedure to go?
EHRC grants ceased march 2012
LASPOA 2012 was passed with very minor amendments from the
original proposals
London Councils – consultation presently ongoing
Local Authority – reduced level of funding
Big Lottery – Advice Services Fund

6. The Future?
From Sept 2012, GEO national discrimination helpline
service – replaces EHRC helpline
Non legal enquiries only
Move away from litigation towards conciliation,
arbitration and negotiation to resolve disc issues
Templates of legal documents made available on GEO
website for self litigants
LCF will co-ordinate referrals for casework and
representation from the helpline service

7. Other relevant developments
Business & Enterprise Regulatory Reform Bill –
Main proposals include:
Introduction of tribunal fees
Removal of tribunal powers to make wider
recommendations
Judges only sitting on EAT cases

8. The Future
Legal Aid & discrimination from
April 2013
Employment out of scope
Compulsory telephone gateway
Discrimination will be low volume

9. The Future
London Councils
Consultation currently taking place
on criteria – priorities identified as
Homelessness, Domestic violence and
2nd tier support.

10. Implications
For advice services:
Better referral and signposting for discrimination
Up to date information services for legal advice and
representation
Pick up discrimination through other subject areas
Use European and Human Rights Law where possible
Look to international sources of funding such as EU
Monitor and keep track of unmet needs
Increase awareness raising and PLE

11.  Increase our knowledge and
understanding of Public Sector Equality
Duties so that we may use them more
effectively at a tool, at the early stage of
decision making rather than in
challenging decisions once they have
been taken by the public body.

12. Implications for clients
Increased awareness of discrimination
and legal rights – to better challenge at
source
Competence and skills to effectively use
existing complaints procedures
Raise awareness of others

13. Flora Williams
Equality & Diversity Manager
Law Centres Network
020 7842 0735 or
0759 0050 898
Flora@lawcentres.org.uk