Mandy Li

This Practice Note summarises the law and provides practical guidance to service providers in respect of their obligations to provide goods, services and facilities to their customers in a non-discriminatory way under the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010). It explains the protected characteristics under EqA 2010 and gives practical and case law examples of the forms of direct discrimination, discrimination by association, discrimination by perception, indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation and discrimination arising from a disability, and examples of what can be done to avoid discrimination. Protections provided for breastfeeding mothers, age-related exceptions, discrimination by associations including private members clubs, and the position regarding the provision of separate and single-sex services are discussed. The Practice Note also examines enforcement and remedies relating to EqA 2010 claims and its territorial scope.

This Checklist consists of practical steps which service providers can take in relation to their provision of goods, services and facilities in a way that is compliant with their obligation not to discriminate between customers under the Equality Act 2010. See also Practice Note: Equality Act 2010—discrimination in the provision of goods, services and facilities.