BAILII is celebrating 24 years of free online access to the law! Would you consider making a contribution?

No donation is too small. If every visitor before 31 December gives just £1, it will have a significant impact on BAILII's ability to continue providing free access to the law.
Thank you very much for your support!



BAILII [Home] [Databases] [World Law] [Multidatabase Search] [Help] [Feedback]

United Kingdom Statutory Instruments


You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> United Kingdom Statutory Instruments >> The Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003
URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/legis/num_reg/2003/20031626.html

[New search] [Help]



2003 No. 1626

RACE RELATIONS

The Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003

  Made 20th June 2003 
  Coming into force 19th July 2003 

Whereas these Regulations were laid in draft before each House of Parliament in accordance with paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972[1] and were approved by resolution of each House of Parliament;

     Now, therefore, the Secretary of State, being a Minister designated for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 in relation to discrimination[2], in exercise of the powers conferred by that section, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation
     1.  - (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003 and shall come into force on 19th July 2003.

    (2) These Regulations do not extend to Northern Ireland.

    (3) In these Regulations "the 1976 Act" means the Race Relations Act 1976[
3].

Transitional provisions
     2.  - (1) Regulations 40 and 42 do not apply to proceedings commenced before 19th July 2003.

    (2) Regulations 41 and 43 apply to proceedings commenced before 19th July 2003, as well as proceedings instituted on or after that date, but do not affect any case in which proceedings were determined before that date.

    (3) The amendment made to section 65(2)(b) of the 1976 Act by regulation 47 shall not apply in the case of a question served on a respondent before 19th July 2003.

    (4) In paragraph (3) "question" and "respondent" shall be construed in accordance with section 65 of the 1976 Act.

Racial discrimination
    
3. In section 1 of the 1976 Act (racial discrimination), after subsection (1), insert - 

     4. In section 3 of the 1976 Act (meaning of "racial grounds", "racial group" etc), in subsection (4), after the words "section 1(1)", insert "or (1A)".

Harassment
    
5. After section 3 of the 1976 Act insert - 

Harassment by employers
    
6.  - (1) In the heading to section 4 of the 1976 Act (discrimination against applicants and employees) omit the words "Discrimination against".

    (2) That section is amended as follows - 

Exception for genuine occupational requirement
    
7. After section 4 of the 1976 Act insert - 

     8. In section 5 of the 1976 Act (exceptions for genuine occupational qualifications), in subsection (1), after the words "racial discrimination", insert "in cases where section 4A does not apply".

    
9. In section 6 of the 1976 Act (exception for employment intended to provide training in skills to be exercised outside Great Britain), after the word "employer", in the first place where it occurs,[a] insert ", on grounds other than those of race or ethnic or national origins,".

Other harassment in employment etc.
     10.  - (1) In the heading to section 7 of the 1976 Act (discrimination against contract workers) omit the words "Discrimination against".

    (2) That section is amended as follows - 

Meaning of employment at establishment in Great Britain
     11.  - (1) In section 8 of the 1976 Act (meaning of employment at establishment in Great Britain), in subsection (1), for the words "unless the employee" to the end, substitute - 

    (2) After subsection (1) insert - 

Partnerships
    
12. In section 10 of the 1976 Act (partnerships) - 

Other bodies
    
13. In section 11 of the 1976 Act (trade unions etc), at the end insert - 

     14. In section 12 of the 1976 Act (qualifying bodies) - 

     15. In section 13 of the 1976 Act (persons concerned with provision of vocational training), after subsection (2), insert - 

     16. In section 14 of the 1976 Act (employment agencies) - 

     17. In section 15 of the 1976 Act (Training Commission etc), in subsections (1) and (1A), after the word "discriminate", insert "or to subject a person to harassment".

Harassment in other fields
    
18.  - (1) In the heading to section 17 of the 1976 Act (discrimination by bodies in charge of educational establishments) omit the words "Discrimination by".

    (2) At the beginning of that section insert "(1)", and at the end insert - 

     19.  - (1) In the heading to section 18 (other discrimination by local education authorities), after the word "discrimination" insert "etc.".

    (2) In the headings to sections - 

    (3) In each of the sections referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2), after the words "constitutes racial discrimination", insert "or harassment".

Public authorities
    
20.  - (1) In the heading to section 19B of the 1976 Act (discrimination by public authorities) omit the words "Discrimination by".

    (2) That section is amended as follows - 

     21. In section 19C of the 1976 Act (exceptions or further exceptions from section 19B for judicial or legislative acts etc.), in subsection (3), for the words "falling within" substitute "excepted by".

Harassment in provision of goods, facilities or services etc.
    
22.  - (1) In the heading to section 20 of the 1976 Act (discrimination in provision of goods, facilities or services) omit the words "Discrimination in".

    (2) After subsection (2) of that section insert - 

     23.  - (1) In the heading to section 21 of the 1976 Act (discrimination in disposal or management of premises) omit the words "Discrimination in".

    (2) That section is amended as follows - 

     24. In section 22 of the 1976 Act (exception for small dwellings), in subsection (1), after the words "do not apply to", insert "discrimination on grounds other than those of race or ethnic or national origins in either".

    
25.  - (1) In the heading to section 23 of the 1976 Act (further exceptions from sections 20 (1) and 21) for the words "ss 20(1)" substitute "ss 20".

    (2) Subsection (1) of that section is amended as follows - 

     26.  - (1) In the heading to section 24 of the 1976 Act (discrimination: consent for assignment or sub-letting) omit the word "Discrimination".

    (2) That section is amended as follows - 

Harassment by, or in relation to, barristers and advocates
    
27.  - (1) In the heading to section 26A of the 1976 Act (discrimination by, or against, barristers) omit the words "Discrimination by, or in relation to,".

    (2) That section is amended as follows - 

     28.  - (1) In the heading to section 26B of the 1976 Act (discrimination by, or in relation to, advocates) omit the words "Discrimination by, or in relation to,".

    (2) That section is amended as follows - 

Relationships which have come to an end
    
29. In Part IV of the 1976 Act, before section 28, insert - 

     30. In section 28 of the 1976 Act (discriminatory practices) - 

     31.  - (1) In the heading to section 30 of the 1976 Act (instructions to discriminate) for the word "discriminate" substitute "commit unlawful acts".

    (2) After the words "Part II or III" in that section insert "section 76ZA or, where it renders an act unlawful on grounds of race or ethnic or national origins, section 76,".

    
32.  - (1) In the heading to section 31 of the 1976 Act (pressure to discriminate) for the word "discriminate" substitute "commit unlawful acts".

    (2) After the words "Part II or III" in that section insert "section 76ZA or, where it renders an act unlawful on grounds of race or ethnic or national origins, section 76,".

    
33. In section 34 of the 1976 Act (charities), after subsection (3), insert - 

     34. In section 36 of the 1976 Act (provision of education or training for persons not ordinarily resident in Great Britain), after the words "a person", insert ", on grounds other than race or ethnic or national origins,".

    
35. In section 41 of the 1976 Act (acts done under statutory authority) - 

     36. In section 43 of the 1976 Act (establishment and duties of Commission), in subsection (1)(a), after the word "discrimination", insert "and harassment".

    
37. In section 47 of the 1976 Act (codes of practice), in subsection (1), after the word "discrimination", in both places where it occurs, insert "and harassment".

    
38. In section 50 of the 1976 Act (power to obtain information), in subsection (2)(b)(i), for the words "discriminatory acts" substitute "acts of discrimination or harassment".

    
39. In section 53 of the 1976 Act (restriction of proceedings for breach of Act), in subsection (4), for the words "and (11)" substitute ", (11) and (11B)[d]".

Barristers and office-holders: jurisdiction of employment tribunals
     40. In section 54(1) of the 1976 Act (jurisdiction of employment tribunals) - 

Burden of proof
    
41. After section 54 of the 1976 Act insert - 

     42.  - (1) In the heading to section 57 of the 1976 Act (claims under Part III), after the words "Part III", insert "etc.".

    (2) In subsection (1) of that section - 

     43. After section 57 of the 1976 Act insert - 

Non-discrimination notices
    
44. In section 58 of the 1976 Act (issue of non-discrimination notice), in subsection (1), for the words "discriminatory act" substitute "act of discrimination or harassment".

Other enforcement by CRE
    
45. In section 62 of the 1976 Act (persistent discrimination), in subsection (1)(b), for the words "discriminatory act" substitute "act of discrimination or harassment".

    
46. In section 64 of the 1976 Act (preliminary action in employment cases), in subsection (1), for the words "person discriminated against" substitute "person concerned"[e].

Period within which respondent must reply
     47. In section 65 of the 1976 Act (help for aggrieved persons in obtaining information etc) - 

Validity and revision of contracts
    
48. In section 72 of the 1976 Act (validity and revision of contracts), in subsection (2), after the words "unlawful discrimination against", insert "or harassment of,".

Collective agreements and rules of undertakings
    
49. After section 72 of the 1976 Act insert - 

Government appointments outside section 4
    
50. In section 76 of the 1976 Act (government appointments outside section 4) - 

Other office holders
    
51. After section 76 of the 1976 Act insert - 

Definitions
     52. In section 78 of the 1976 Act (general interpretation provisions) insert in the appropriate alphabetical order - 


Fiona Mactaggart
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Home Office
20th June 2003



EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)


These Regulations, which are made under section 2(2)(a) and (b) of the European Communities Act 1972 and come into force on 19th July 2003, implement (in Great Britain) Council Directive 2000/43 EC of 29th June 2000 ("the Directive") and include provision for matters arising out of or relating to such implementation. The Directive is concerned with the principle of equal treatment between persons, irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, in the areas of employment (and related matters), social protection, social advantage, education and access to and supply of, goods and services which are available to the public, including housing.

The Directive necessitates amendment of the Race Relations Act 1976 ("the 1976 Act"), in particular to reflect the provisions of the Directive which deal with the definition of indirect discrimination, harassment, genuine and determining occupational requirements, the burden of proof in proceedings, and abolition of statutory provisions which are contrary to the principle of equal treatment.

Regulations 3 and 4 set out a new definition of indirect discrimination, on grounds of race or ethnic or national origins, in those areas with which the Directive is concerned.

Regulation 5 sets out a new definition of harassment, on the grounds of a person's race or ethnic or national origins, which will apply in the areas with which the Directive is concerned.

Regulation 6 makes it unlawful for an employer to subject to harassment an employee or an applicant for employment, and removes, partially, the exception (from the discrimination in employment provisions) for employment in a private household.

Regulations 7 and 8 provide for a new exception (from the discrimination in employment provisions) where being of a particular race or of particular ethnic or national origins is a genuine and determining requirement for the employment in question.

Regulation 9 removes, partially, the exception (from the discrimination in employment provisions) for training in skills to be exercised outside Great Britain.

Regulation 10 makes it unlawful for a principal to subject a contract worker to harassment and removes, partially, the exception (from the contract workers provisions) for work to provide training skills to be exercised abroad.

Regulation 11 contains an expanded definition of "work at an establishment in Great Britain".

Regulation 12 removes the lower limit on the size of partnerships which can discriminate unlawfully on grounds of race or ethnic or national origins, and makes it unlawful for partnerships to subject to harassment partners or applicants for partnership.

Regulations 13 to 17 make it unlawful for bodies such as trade organisations, qualifying bodies, providers of vocational training, employment agencies and the Training Commission to subject persons to harassment.

Regulations 18 and 19 make it unlawful for bodies concerned with education or vocational training or guidance to subject persons to harassment.

Regulation 20 makes it unlawful for public bodies concerned with provision of health, welfare or other services to subject persons to harassment.

Regulation 21 makes a consequential amendment.

Regulations 22 to 24, and 26, make it unlawful for persons concerned with the provision of goods, facilities or services, or accommodation, to subject persons to harassment.

Regulation 25 makes consequential amendments.

Regulations 27 and 28 make it unlawful for barristers and advocates, or their clerks, to subject to harassment a pupil or a tenant, or a person applying to be a pupil or tenant.

Regulation 29 provides that, where there has been a relationship in which certain acts of discrimination, or harassment, would have been unlawful, it is also unlawful to subject a person to a detriment or harassment by reference to that relationship after the relationship has ended.

Regulation 30 makes consequential amendments to the provisions dealing with discriminatory practices.

Regulation 31 extends to office holders the application of the section of the 1976 Act dealing with instructions to discriminate (or, now, harass).

Regulation 32 extends to office holders the application of the section of the 1976 Act which makes it unlawful to induce someone to commit an unlawful act of discrimination (or, now, harassment).

Regulation 33 removes the exception for charities to discriminate in employment.

Regulation 34 removes, partially, the exception for education or training of persons who are not going to stay in Great Britain.

Regulation 35 removes, partially, the exception for acts which are done under statutory authority.

Regulation 36 makes it the duty of the Commission for Racial Equality ("the CRE") to work towards the elimination of harassment (in addition to its existing duty in respect of discrimination).

Regulation 37 adds harassment to the matters which can be the subject of a code of practice.

Regulation 38 adds harassment to the matters in respect of which the CRE can require information for the purposes of a formal investigation.

Regulation 39 makes a consequential amendment.

Regulation 40 provides that claims of unlawful discrimination on grounds of race, ethnic or national origins, or harassment, by or against barristers or advocates, or in the appointment of certain office holders, are to be heard by employment tribunals.

Regulations 41 and 43 alter the burden of proof in tribunal and court proceedings relating to discrimination on grounds of race, ethnic or national origins, or harassment, in areas with which the Directive is concerned.

Regulation 42 amends the provisions for bringing complaints in the courts, in consequence of certain matters being transferred to employment tribunals.

Regulation 44 adds harassment to the matters which can be the subject of a non-discrimination notice.

Regulation 45 includes harassment in the provisions dealing with persistent unlawful behaviour.

Regulation 46 makes a consequential amendment.

Regulation 47 ensures that, in certain cases, respondents must reply to a claimant's preliminary questions within eight weeks of being served with them.

Regulation 48 extends the provisions of the 1976 Act relating to unlawful contracts so as to include harassment.

Regulation 49 applies to collective agreements and rules of undertakings the provisions of the 1976 Act relating to unlawful contracts, insofar as the grounds of race or ethnic or national origins are concerned.

Regulation 50 makes it unlawful to harass a person in relation to a government appointment, updates the provisions dealing with such appointments, and makes it clear that a complaint may be presented to an employment tribunal where the act complained of is on grounds of race or ethnic or national origins.

Regulation 51 makes it unlawful to discriminate (on grounds of race or ethnic or national origins), or to harass a person, in relation to other appointments.

Regulation 52 explains the meaning of certain expressions used in the regulations and inserted in the 1976 Act.


Notes:

[1] 1972 c. 68.back

[2] See the European Communities (Designation) (No. 3) Order (S.I. 2002/1819).back

[3] 1976 c. 74; as amended by he Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 (c. 34).back

[4] 1992 c. 52.back

[5] 1958 c. 21.back

[6] 1975 c. 24. Schedule 2 was amended by S.I. 2002/794, article 5(2), Schedule 2, and by the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46), sections 48(6), 87(1) and Schedule 9.back

[7] 1975 c. 27.back

[8] 1998 c. 46.back

[9] 1994 c. 39. Section 2 was amended by the Environment Act 1995 (c. 25), Schedule 22, paragraph 232(1).back

[10] 1973 c. 65. Section 51 was amended by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39), Schedule 14,back


[a] Amended by Correction Slip. Page 3, regulation 9, second line, after "after the word "employer"," insert "in the first place where it occurs," back

[b] Amended by Correction Slip. Page 3, regulation 10(2)(c), first line, after "after the word "principal"," insert "in the first place where it occurs," back

[c] Amended by Correction Slip. Page 8, regulation 35(b) in the inserted subsection (1A), second line delete "1 (1B)" and insert "1(1B)" back

[d] Amended by Correction Slip. Page 8, regulation 39, second line delete "11 and (11B)" and insert "(11) and (11B)" back

[e] Amended by Correction Slip. Page 9, regulation 46, second line delete ""the person concerned"" and insert ""person concerned"" back




ISBN 0 11 046634 9


  Prepared 30 June 2003


BAILII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Donate to BAILII
URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/legis/num_reg/2003/20031626.html