Lack of Equality Act guidance leaves charities "in limbo"

8th September 2010

The lack of guidance currently available regarding the forthcoming Equality Act - due to come into effect at the start of October - will, according to one legal expert, leave charities "in limbo".

Senior consultant at Wilsons Ian Davies made this observation in a brief addressing the issue, describing the fact that regulators have still failed to offer adequate advice despite the Charity Law Association voicing its concerns as "outrageous".

"If a charity believes it cannot meet the tests it is in limbo. If it carries out its charitable purposes it breaks equality law," he wrote.

Mr Davies went on to note that previous legislation has allowed for trusts to benefit from certain exemptions but this is now much narrower and, in order for them to avoid stepping outside of the law, they must know how the system will work in practice.

This comes after lawyer Sally-Anne Ogilvie recommended in an article for the Press and Journal that companies ensure they review their barrier-free policies and procedures in light of the new definitions in anti-discrimination law.

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