Camau cyfreithiol

Mental health and access to justice: what reasonable adjustments should be made?

Wedi ei gyhoeddi: 16 Ionawr 2019

Diweddarwyd diwethaf: 16 Ionawr 2019

Manylion yr achos

Nodwedd warchodedig Anabledd
Mathau o hawliadau cydraddoldeb Gwahaniaethu yn deillio o anabledd
Llys neu dribiwnlys Llys Apêl (Sifil)
Cyflwr yr achos Wedi gorffen
Ein cyfranogiad Ymyrraeth (adran 30 o Ddeddf Cydraddoldeb 2006)
Canlyniad Arall
Meysydd o fywyd Cyfiawnder a diogelwch personol

Enw achos: Jade Anderson v Turning Point Eepro

A woman had mental health issues while she was in the process of bringing a claim for sex discrimination. Her claim was successful, but she felt that her compensation was insufficient. She took her case to the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT), and then to the Court of Appeal. She argued that the Employment Tribunal’s failure to make adjustments for her disability had caused the case to be badly handled, so that she received inadequate compensation. Her appeals to the EAT and to the Court of Appeal were unsuccessful.

Mater cyfreithiol

What is the extent of courts' and tribunals' duties to make adjustments to their procedures to accommodate the needs of disabled parties?

Cefndir

A woman working for a social care charity brought a claim for sex discrimination against the charity. This was successful.

The woman went on to have a breakdown after the tribunal had found in her favour but before the remedy hearing.

She felt that the compensation she eventually received was insufficient and didn’t reflect what had happened to her.

She believed that this was because her poor mental health and a lack of reasonable adjustments on the part of the tribunal meant the case wasn’t handled effectively. She took her case to the EAT and then to the Court of Appeal.

Pam roedden ni'n cymryd rhan

Around one in four people will experience a mental health problem each year. The failing of some courts to make suitable adjustments for these people can be a serious barrier to them seeking justice.

Our goal is to make sure that everyone feels they have access to the justice they deserve.

We hoped that a positive outcome to this case would see a change in the approach of courts, making them more open and accommodating to the needs of disabled people.

Beth wnaethom ni

We had prepared to intervene in this case, which is when we provide specialist evidence or advice to help the court. In the end the court decided it did not need to hear from us to reach its conclusion.

Beth ddigwyddodd

The case was unsuccessful. The court did not find that any of the woman’s criticisms of the way her case was handled would have made a material difference to the outcome.

Pwy fydd yn elwa

While the outcome of the case was disappointing, there was merit in having participated in it because it helped raise the issue of the needs of disabled people in seeking justice. We intervened in a similar case, J vK & Anor, with a positive outcome. Between the two cases, we hope that the courts will get better at addressing the needs of disabled people. We will continue to support individuals who face barriers to seeking justice.

Dyddiad y gwrandawiad

16 Ionawr 2019

Diweddariadau tudalennau

Advice and support

If you think you might have been treated unfairly and want further advice, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

The EASS is an independent advice service, not operated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Phone: 0808 800 0082
 

Or email using the contact form on the EASS website.
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Call the EASS on:

0808 800 0082