Enforcing the law
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has extensive legal powers and a dedicated directorate of expert lawyers who are specialists in equality law. This means that the Commission can 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.
They can not give direct legal assistance to everyone, but to those whose cases they are unable to take, they can offer advice through their helpline and online resources:
Telephone: 0845 604 6610
Textphone: 0845 604 6620
Website: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/
The Commission contributes funds to external organisations that can provide legal help and advice.
It has powers to enforce the equalities duties of organisations and authorities, including launching official inquiries and formal investigations.
Unless there is an equality dimension to the case, the commission doesn't have the power to give legal assistance to individuals on human rights grounds. However, they do have the power to hold formal inquiries or to take judicial review proceedings to prevent breaches of the Human Rights Act.
The Commission can also join in with proceedings taken by others, intervening to promote human rights.
You can read more about the law on their website in their Know Your Rights Section. They also have a dedicated section for lawyers and advisers.
Influencing the development of the law and government policy
The Equality and Human Rights Commission works with the government as it moves towards single equality legislation. The Commission seeks to help the government create effective legislation that protects people’s rights and helps to bring about a Britain confident in its diversity.
The government has committed to promoting a fair and equal society, where everyone has the opportunity to prosper and reach their full potential. The Commission will monitor the performance of the government in relation to these commitments.
The Commission will also seek to influence the development and amending of all government policy, making sure that policy takes into consideration the importance of equality, diversity and human rights.
They will also seek to ensure that equality is given priority, not only in policy but in plans and departmental strategies across government.
The Commission will also develop a shared understanding with public service inspectorates to make sure that equality is effectively promoted.
Promoting good practice
The Equality and Human Rights Commission works with organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to reduce discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all employees, customers and the users of services.
The Commission provides help and advice on equal opportunities policy and practice to many organisations and companies, large and small; and liaises with government departments and representative organisations from all sectors.
Almost all public authorities in England are bound by statutory duties to promote race and sex equality and eliminate discrimination. These duties take good practice a step further, providing a legal obligation to comply. The Commission provides information about these duties and guidance on the best ways to meet these requirements.
The Commission works to define, promote and publish best practice, in order to create a more fair and equitable society. They have guides on best practice to download, as well as statutory codes of practice.
Campaigns, events and communications
By educating and encouraging the public, the Commission hopes to expand the scope of knowledge and understanding of equality and human rights. Through its campaigns, they seek to become a recognisable, influential and inspiring voice in the public sphere.
Fostering better relations
Public authorities in England are required to promote good race relations. The Commission helps these authorities to take practical steps to fulfil these duties, and will monitor their performance, taking action where necessary.
Good relations between all people are something which we must work at constantly. The Equality and Human Rights Commission uses a network of local sources to monitor social tensions between groups, and works to minimise these tensions.
They also use campaigning, lobbying and publications to work towards a more integrated society, where people not only live peacefully together, but socialise with each other, confident with each other’s differences.
Developing understanding and evidence
The Commission also has a responsibility to produce ‘state of the nation’ reports every three years, and to present these to Parliament. These will assess equality and inequality in Britain, and how much progress has been made.
Their services
ACAS partnership
In partnership with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), the Equality and Human Rights Commission helps employers to gain hands-on, practical experience of equality good practice.
Conciliation service
Where an individual alleges they have been a victim of unlawful discrimination or harassment, the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s conciliation service can offer an alternative route to court action.
The conciliation service uses a rights-based approach that ensures settlements are quick and effective. The focus is on changes to practices, policies and procedures. It can lead to lasting change for people who have been victims of discrimination and not just compensatory payments.
The service is free, confidential and accessible.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline identifies appropriate cases for conciliation and refers them to an internal Conciliation Management Unit. The Conciliation Management Unit assesses the viability of cases and encourages the parties involved, including individuals and service and education providers, to agree to conciliation.
Section 44 providers – grants
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has responsibility for section 44 of the Race Relations Act, which sets out guidelines for giving financial assistance to other organisations.
They support innovative projects which lead to results and which make a difference to racial equality and race relations locally.
Equality and Human Rights Framework Document
The EHRC have agreed a legal, policy, procedural and resources framework in which the Commission will operate and the arrangements for managing the relationship between the Commission and the Government Equalities Office, their sponsor department.
This document can be downloaded from the EHRC webpage address given below:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
The chair of the Commission is Trevor Phillips and Neil Kinghan is the interim director-general. Trevor and Neil are backed by a senior management team who are all major players in the equalities and human rights field.
A full list of their commissioners (updated 19 November 2009) is below:
Trevor Phillips (Chair)
Baroness Margaret Prosser of Battersea OBE (Deputy Chair)
Morag Alexander
Stephen Alambritis
Ann Beynon OBE
Professor Geraldine Van Bueren
Kay Carberry CBE
Joel Edwards
Baroness Sally Greengross
Meral Hussein Ece OBE
Dr Jean Irvine OBE
Angela Mason
Maeve Sherlock OBE
Michael Smith
Simon Woolley
The EHRC can be contacted at:
More London, Riverside
Tooley Street
London,SE1 2RG
Telephone: 020 3117 0235 (non helpline calls only)
Fax: 0207 407 7557
Email: info@equalityhumanrights.com
