The Equality Act 2010 marks a new beginning for equality law and one that is likely to see greater public understanding and utilisation of discrimination law in relation to all aspects of commercial and public life.

The group deals with the law as it applies to England and Wales, where the Welsh Ministers have certain devolved equality responsibilities.

The Equality Act gives individuals the following "Protected characteristics" in relation to many aspects of life, such as employment, housing, accessing services, education and so forth:

• Sex
• Disability
• Race
• Age
• Religion and Belief
• Sexual Orientation
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity

In addition many public sector organisations are required to promote equality in respect of these characteristics.

Within their different areas of expertise, members of the Equality Group can assist your organisation in the following respects (in alphabetical order)

• Commercial
• Education
• Employment
• Housing and property
• Pensions
• Public Authorities
• Public Functions
• Specific areas