Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976 (repealed 1.3.1999)

Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976

1976 CHAPTER 25

An Act to establish an Agency with the duties of promoting equality of opportunity in employments and occupations in Northern Ireland between people of different religious beliefs and of working for the elimination of discrimination which is unlawful by virtue of the Act; to render unlawful, in connection with such employments and occupations, certain kinds of discrimination on the ground of religious belief or political opinion; and for connected purposes.

[22nd July 1976]

Extent Information

E1 This Act extends to Northern Ireland only except as stated in s. 59(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Act amended (1.11.1989 subject as mentioned in S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(2) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 1(3)

C2 Act restricted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 56(1)

C3 Act excluded by S.R. 1991/127, art. 6(1)(a)

Commencement Information

I1 Act not in force at Royal Assent; Act wholly in force at 1.9.1976

Part I N.I. The Fair Employment Agency for Northern Ireland

1 Constitution and general duties of the Commission. N.I.

(1) There shall be a body named the Fair Employment [F1 Commission] for Northern Ireland (“the [F1 Commission]”), consisting of a chairman and at least five but not more than eleven other members all appointed by the head of the Department of Manpower Services for Northern Ireland (“the Department”), which shall have the duties of—

(a) promoting equality of opportunity in Northern Ireland; and

[F2 (aa) promoting affirmative action;]

(b) working for the elimination of discrimination which is unlawful by virtue of this Act,

and for the purposes of discharging those duties shall have the functions conferred on it by this Act.

(2) Schedule 1 shall have effect with respect to the [F1 Commission] and its affairs.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word substituted by by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 5

F2 S. 1(1)(aa) inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 1(2)

2 Educational functions. N.I.

(1) In order to assist the [F3 Commission] in discharging its duties the [F3 Commission] may—

(a) establish services for giving advice on matters connected with equality of opportunity;

(b) provide training courses;

(c) hold conferences;

(d) undertake research which appears to the [F3 Commission] to be necessary or expedient for purposes of its functions; and

(e) disseminate (subject to the safeguard in [F4 section 19(1) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989]) information about the [F3 Commission]’s activities or anything to which those activities relate;

or it may arrange for, or assist (financially or otherwise), any of those things to be done.

(2) The [F3 Commission] may make charges for training or other facilities or services made available by it.

Textual Amendments

F3 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 6(a)

F4 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 6(b)

Part II N.I.

N.I.

3–15 F5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F5 Ss. 3–15 repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

Part III N.I. Unlawful Discrimination

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 Pt. III (ss. 16–32) modified (temp.) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 50(2)

General N.I.

16 Meaning of “discrimination” and “unlawful discrimination”. N.I.

(1) In this Act “discrimination” means—

(a) discrimination on the ground of religious belief or political opinion; or

(b) discrimination by way of victimisation;

and “discriminate” shall be construed accordingly.

[F6 (2) A person discriminates against another person on the grounds of religious belief or political opinion in any circumstances relevant for the purposes of this Act if—

(a) on either of those grounds he treats that other less favourably than he treats or would treat other persons, or

(b) he applies to that other a requirement or condition which he applies or would apply equally to persons not of the same religious belief or political opinion as that other but—

(i) which is such that the proportion of persons of the same religious belief or of the same political opinion as that other who can comply with it is considerably smaller than the proportion of persons not of that religious belief or, as the case requires, not of that political opinion who can comply with it, and

(ii) which he cannot show to be justifiable irrespective of the religious belief or political opinion of the person to whom it is applied, and

(iii) which is to the detriment of the other because he cannot comply with it.]

(3) For the purposes of this Act a person discriminates against another person (“the person victimised”) by way of victimisation if he treats that other person less favourably in any circumstances than he treats or would treat any other person in those circumstances, and does so by reason that the person victimised has—

(a) made a complaint against him or any other person under this Act of unlawful discrimination, or

(b) given evidence or information in connection with any such complaint or any investigation, legal proceedings or appeal under [F7 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts], or

(c) alleged that he or any other person has committed an act which (whether or not the allegation so states) would amount to a contravention of [F8 those Acts], or

(d) otherwise done anything under or by reference to [F8 those Acts] in relation to him or any other person,

or by reason that he knows the person victimised intends to do any of these things, or that he suspects the person victimised has done, or intends to do any of them.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to treatment of a person by reason of any allegation made by him if the allegation was false and not made in good faith.

[F9 (4A) A comparison of the cases of persons of different religious belief or political opinion under subsection (2) must be such that the relevant circumstances in the one case are the same, or not materially different, in the other.]

(5) For the purposes of this Act a person commits unlawful discrimination against another if he does an act in relation to that other which is unlawful by virtue of this Part, or if he is treated by virtue of any provision of Part IV as doing such an act.

Textual Amendments

F6 S. 16(2) substituted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of acts done before 1 January 1990: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(3) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 49(1)(2), 60(2)

F7 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 7(a)

F8 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 7(b)

F9 S. 16(4A) inserted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of acts done before 1 January 1990; S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(3) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 49(2), 60(2)

Acts of unlawful discrimination N.I.

17 Discrimination by employers. N.I.

It shall be unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a person, in relation to employment in Northern Ireland,—

(a) where that person is seeking employment—

(i) in the arrangements the employer makes for the purpose of determining who should be offered employment, or

(ii) by refusing or deliberately omitting to offer that person employment for which he applies, or

(iii) in the terms on which he offers him employment; or

(b) where that person is employed by him—

(i) in the terms of employment which he affords him, or

(ii) in the way he affords him access to benefits or by refusing or deliberately omitting to afford him access to them, or

(iii) by dismissing him, or

(iv) by subjecting him to any other detriment.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 S. 17 excluded (28.7.1998) by 1998 c. 35, s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 10(b); S.I. 1998/1858, art. 2

C6 S. 17 modified by S.R.1991/127, art. 3,Sch.

18 Discrimination against contract workers. N.I.

(1) This section applies to any work for a person (“the principal”) which is available to be done by individuals (“contract workers”)—

(a) who are employed not by the principal himself but by another person, who supplies them under a contract made with the principal, and

(b) who, if they were instead employed by the principal to do that work, would be in his employment in Northern Ireland.

(2) It shall be unlawful for the principal, in relation to work to which this section applies, to discriminate against a contract worker—

(a) in the terms on which he allows him to do that work, or

(b) by not allowing him to do it or continue to do it, or

(c) in the way he affords him access to benefits or by refusing or deliberately omitting to afford him access to them, or

(d) by subjecting him to any other detriment.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 18 modified by S.R.1991/127, art. 3,Sch.

19 Discrimination by persons with statutory power to select employees for others. N.I.

It shall be unlawful for a person who is empowered by virtue of an enactment to select or nominate another person for employment by a third person to discriminate against a person, in relation to employment in Northern Ireland,—

(a) by refusing or deliberately omitting to select or nominate him for employment, or

(b) where candidates are selected or nominated in order of preference, by selecting or nominating him lower in order than any other who is selected or nominated.

20 Discrimination by employment agencies. N.I.

(1) It shall be unlawful for an employment agency to discriminate against a person, in relation to employment in Northern Ireland,—

(a) in the terms on which the agency offers to provide any of its services, or

(b) by refusing or deliberately omitting to provide any of its services, or

(c) in the way it provides any of its services.

(2) References in subsection (1) to the services of an employment agency include guidance on careers and any other services related to employment.

(3) This section does not apply if the discrimination only concerns employment which the employer could lawfully refuse to offer the person concerned.

(4) An employment agency shall not be subject to any liability under this section if it proves—

(a) that it acted in reliance on a statement made to it by the employer to the effect that, by reason of the operation of subsection (3), its action would not be unlawful, and

(b) that it was reasonable for it to rely on the statement.

(5) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a statement such as is referred to in subsection (4)(a) which in a material respect is false or misleading shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F10 level 5 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F10 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), arts. 5, 6

21 Discrimination by vocational organisations. N.I.

It shall be unlawful for a vocational organisation to discriminate against a person who is employed or is seeking employment in Northern Ireland, or who is engaged or is seeking to become engaged in an occupation in Northern Ireland,—

(a) where that person is not a member of the organisation—

(i) by refusing or deliberately omitting to accept his application for membership, or

(ii) in the terms on which it is prepared to admit him to membership; or

(b) where that person is a member of the organisation—

(i) in the way it affords him access to benefits or by refusing or deliberately omitting to afford him access to them, or

(ii) by depriving him of membership, or varying the terms on which he is a member, or

(iii) by subjecting him to any other detriment.

22 Discrimination by persons providing training services. N.I.

(1) It shall be unlawful for a person who provides services in connection with the training of persons for employment in any capacity, or for a particular employment or occupation, in Northern Ireland to discriminate against another person—

(a) where that other person is seeking to obtain those services or they are sought to be obtained on his behalf—

(i) by refusing or deliberately omitting to provide those services, or

(ii) in the terms on which the person offers to provide those services; or

(b) where that other person is receiving those services—

(i) in the way the person provides those sevices, or

(ii) in the way he affords him access to benefits connected with the services or by refusing or deliberately omitting to afford him access to them, or

(iii) by withdrawing those services from him or varying the terms on which they are provided, or

(iv) by subjecting him to any other detriment.

(2) In subsection (1) “services”, in relation to training for employment, means services provided otherwise than by the employer of the person who is seeking to obtain or is receiving the services.

23 Discrimination by persons with power to confer qualifications. N.I.

It shall be unlawful for a person who has power to confer on another a qualification which is needed for, or facilitates, his engagement in employment in any capacity, or in a particular employment or occupation, in Northern Ireland to discriminate against him—

(a) by refusing or deliberately omitting to confer that qualification on him on his application, or

(b) in the terms on which the person is prepared to confer it, or

(c) by withdrawing it from him or varying the terms on which he holds it.

Complaints of unlawful discrimination N.I.

[F11 24 Jurisdiction of the Fair Employment Tribunal. N.I.

(1) A complaint by any person (“the complainant”) that another person (“the respondent”) has committed unlawful discrimination against him may be presented to the Tribunal.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Tribunal shall not consider a complaint unless it is brought before whichever is the earlier of—

(a) the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which the complainant first had knowledge, or might reasonably be expected first to have had knowledge, of the act complained of, or

(b) the end of the period of six months beginning with the day on which the act was done.

[F12 (2A) For the purposes of subsection (2)—

(a) where the inclusion of any term in a contract renders the making of the contract an unlawful act, that act shall be treated as extending throughout the duration of the contract, and

(b) any act extending over a period shall be treated as done at the end of that period, and

(c) a deliberate omission shall be treated as done when the person in question does an act inconsistent with doing the omitted act or, if he has done no such inconsistent act, when the period expires within which he might reasonably have been expected to do the omitted act if it were to be done.]

(3) The Tribunal may consider a complaint which is out of time if, in all the circumstances of the case, it considers that it is just and equitable to do so.

(4) The Tribunal shall not consider a complaint relating to an act which is unlawful by virtue of section 23 if the act is one in respect of which an appeal, or proceedings in the nature of an appeal, may be brought to a court under any enactment.]

Textual Amendments

F11 Ss. 24–29 substituted for ss. 24–31 by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 50(1)(2)

F12 S. 24(2A) inserted (25.8.1991) by 1991/1713 art.5.

[F13 25 Conciliation. N.I.

(1) Where a complaint is presented to the Tribunal undersection 24, the Tribunal shall send a copy of the complaint to the Labour Relations Agency and it shall be the duty of the Agency—

(a) in any case where it is requested to do so by both the complainant and the respondent, or

(b) in any other case where it considers that it could act under this subsection with a reasonable prospect of success,

to endeavour to promote a settlement of the complaint without its being determined by the Tribunal.

(2) Where, before a complaint such as is mentioned in subsection (1) has been presented to the Tribunal, a request is made to the Labour Relations Agency to make its services available in the matter by a person who, if the complaint were so presented, would be the complainant or respondent, subsection (1) applies as if the complaint had been so presented and a copy of it had been sent to the Agency.

(3) In proceeding under subsection (1) or (2), the Labour Relations Agency shall where appropriate have regard to the desirability ofencouraging the use of other procedures available for the settlement of grievances.

(4) Anything communicated to the Labour Relations Agency in connection with the performance of its functions under this section shall not be admissible in evidence in any proceedings before the Tribunal except with the consent of the person who communicated it to the Agency.]

Textual Amendments

F13 Ss. 24–29 substituted for ss. 24–31 by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 50(1)(2)

[F14 26 Remedies on complaints under section 24. N.I.

(1) Where the Tribunal finds that a complaint presented to it under section 24 is well-founded, the Tribunal shall make such of the following as it considers just and equitable—

(a) an order declaring the rights of the complainant and the respondent in relation to the act to which the complaint relates,

(b) an order requiring the respondent to pay to the complainant compensation of an amount corresponding to any damages he could have been ordered to pay by the High Court if the complaint had been a claim in tort, and

(c) a recommendation that the respondent take within a specified period action appearing to the Tribunal to be practicable for the purpose of obviating or reducing the adverse effect on the complainant of any unlawful discrimination to which the complaint relates.

(2) As respects an act of unlawful discrimination falling within section 16(2)(b) no award of compensation shall be made if the respondent proves that the requirement or condition in question was not applied with the intention of treating the claimant unfavourably on the ground of his religious belief or political opinion as the case may be.

(3) Compensation awarded to a person under subsection (1)(b) may include compensation for injury to feelings whether or not it includes compensation under any other head.

(4) The amount of compensation awarded to a person under subsection (1)(b) shall not exceed £30,000.

(5) If without reasonable justification the respondent to a complaint fails to comply with a recommendation made by the Tribunal under subsection (1)(c), then, if it considers it just and equitable to do so–

(a) the Tribunal may (subject to the limit in subsection (4) ) increase the amount of any compensation required to be paid to the complainant in respect of the complaint by an order made under subsection (1)(b), or

(b) if an order under subsection (1)(b) could have been made but was not, the Tribunal may make such an order.

(6) Where compensation falls to be awarded in respect of any act both under the provisions of this section and under any other enactment, the Tribunal shall not award compensation under this section in respect of any loss or other matter which has been taken into account under that other enactment by a court or tribunal in awarding compensation in an action in respect of that act.

(7) Paragraphs (3) to (6) of Article 61 of the M1 Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (which enables the Department to provide by order that sums payable in pursuance of decisions of industrial tribunals shall carry interest) shall apply with the necessary modifications in relation to an award of compensation under subsection (1)(b) as they apply in relation to a sum payable in pursuance of a decision of an industrial tribunal.

(8) The M2 Judgments Enforcement (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 shall apply with the necessary modifications in relation to an award of compensation under subsection (1)(b) as it applies to a sum due under a money judgment (within the meaning of that Order).

(9) If it appears to the Department that there has been a change in the value of money since the relevant date, it may by order substitute for the sum for the time being specified in subsection (4) such other sum as appears to it to be justified by the change.

(10) In subsection (9) “the relevant date” means—

(a) in relation to the first order under that subsection, the commencment of section 50 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989, and

(b) in relation to each subsequent order, the last occasion when the sum specified in subsection (4) was altered.

(11) A statutory rule containing an order under subsection (9) shall be subject to negative resolution; and section 41(6) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (meaning of ’’subject to negative resolution’’) shall apply as if the power to make the order were conferred by a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(12) It is hereby declared that the limit imposed by subsection (4) applies to the amount which the Tribunal would, apart from that subsection, otherwise award in respect of the subject matter of the complaint after taking into account any payment made by the respondent to the complainant in respect of that matter and any reduction in the amount of the award required by any enactment or rule of law.]

Textual Amendments

F14 Ss. 24–29 substituted for ss. 24–31 by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 50(1)(2)

Marginal Citations

M1 S.I. 1976/1043 (N.I. 16).

M2 S.I. 1981/226 (N.I. 6).

[F15 27 Appeal to Court of Appeal. N.I.

(1) If any party to a complaint under section 24 is dissatisfied in point of law with a decision of the Tribunal, he may, according as rules of court may provide, either appeal from it to the Court of Appeal or require the Tribunal to state and sign a case for the opinion of the Court of Appeal.

(2) Rules of court may provide for authorising or requiring the Tribunal to state, in the form of a special case for the decision of the Court of Appeal, any question of law arising in the proceedings.]

Textual Amendments

F15 Ss. 24–29 substituted for ss. 24–31 by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 50(1)(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8 S. 27 extended (17.7.1995) by S.R. 1995/240, art. 14

Help for persons suffering discrimination N.I.

[F16 28 Help for aggrieved persons in obtaining information etc. N.I.

(1) With a view to helping a person (“the person aggrieved”) who considers that another person may have unlawfully discriminated against him to decide whether to institute proceedings and, if he does so, to formulate and present his case in the most effective manner, the Department shall by regulations prescribe—

(a) forms by which the person aggrieved may question the respondent on his reasons for doing any relevant act, or on any other matter which is or may be relevant, and

(b) forms by which the respondent may if he so wishes reply to any questions.

(2) Where the person aggrieved questions the respondent (whether in accordance with regulations under subsection (1) or not)—

(a) the question, and any reply by the respondent (whether in accordance with the regulations or not) shall, subject to the following provisions of this section, be admissible as evidence in the proceedings, and

(b) if it appears to the Tribunal that the respondent deliberately and without reasonable cause omitted to reply within a reasonable period or that his reply is evasive or equivocal, the Tribunal may draw any inference from that fact that it considers it just and equitable to draw, including an inference that he committed an unlawful act.

(3) The Department may by regulations—

(a) prescribe the period within which questions must be duly served in order to be admissible under subsection (2)(a), and

(b) prescribe the manner in which a question, and any reply by the respondent, may be duly served.

(4) A statutory rule containing regulations under this section shall be subject to negative resolution; and section 41(6) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) M3 1954 (meaning of ’’subject to negative resolution’’) shall apply as if the power to make the regulations were conferred by a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(5) In this section “respondent” includes a prospective respondent.]

Textual Amendments

F16 Ss. 24–29 substituted for ss. 24–31 by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 50(1)(2)

Marginal Citations

M3 1954 c.33 (N.I.).

[F17 29 Advice and assistance by Commission. N.I.

(1) Where a prospective complainant requests the Commission in writing for advice in relation to prospective proceedings under this Part, the Commission shall give him such advice unless it considers that the request is frivolous.

(2) Where, in relation to proceedings or prospective proceedings under this Part, an individual who is an actual or prospective complainant applies to the Commission for assistance under this subsection, the Commission shall consider the application and may grant it if it thinks fit to do so on the ground that—

(a) the case raises a question of principle, or

(b) it is unreasonable, having regard to the complexity of the case or the applicant’s position in relation to the respondent, or another person involved, or to any other matter to expect the applicant to deal with the case unaided,

or by reason of any other special consideration.

(3) Assistance given by the Commission under subsection (2) may include—

(a) giving advice to an actual complainant,

(b) procuring or attempting to procure the settlement of any matter in dispute,

(c) arranging for the giving of advice or assistance by a solicitor or counsel,

(d) arranging for representation by any person including all such assistance as is usually given by a solicitor or counsel in the steps preliminary or incidental to any proceedings, or in arriving at or giving effect to a compromise to avoid or bring to an end any proceedings, and

(e) any other form of assistance which the Commission may consider appropriate.]

Textual Amendments

F17 Ss. 24–29 substituted for ss. 24–31 by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 50(1)(2)

32 Power of court to revise contracts. N.I.

(1) Where a term is included in or omitted from a contract in contravention of any provision of this Part or in consequence of such a contravention, then, notwithstanding that the making of the contract is an unlawful act, neither the contract nor any part of it is unenforceable by reason only of the contravention; [F18 but this subsection has effect subject to subsection (1A)]

[F19 (1A) Where a complaint has been presented to the Tribunal under section 24, the complainant or respondent may apply to the High Court to revise the contract or any of its terms.]

(2) On such an application the court may make such order as it considers just in all the circumstances revising the contract or any of its terms so as to secure that, as from the date of the order, the contract in no way contravenes, or has any effect in consequence of a contravention of, any provision of this Part.

(3) Where the court makes an order under this section, every party to the contract, whether or not a party in the action, shall be bound by the order; but the court shall not make such an order which affects a party to the contract who is not a party in the action without giving him an opportunity of being heard.

Textual Amendments

F18 Words substituted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 50(2), 51(1), 60(2)

F19 S. 32(1A) inserted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 50(2), 51(2), 60(2)

Yn ddilys o 01/07/1992

[F20 32A Restrictions on contracting out. N.I.

(1) Except as provided by subsection (2), any provision in an agreement (whether a contract of employment or not) shall be void in so far as it purports—

(a) to exclude or limit the operation of any provision of this Part; or

(b) to preclude any person from presenting a complaint to the Tribunal under section 24.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to any agreement to refrain from instituting or continuing any proceedings before the Tribunal where the Labour Relations Agency has taken action in accordance with section 25(1) or (2).]

Textual Amendments

F20 S. 32A inserted (1.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/807 (N.I. 5), art. 106(1); S.R. 1992/212, art.2(4).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 S. 32A extended (1.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/807 (N.I. 5), art. 106(2); S.R. 1992/212, art.2(4).

Part IV N.I. Other unlawful acts

33 Discriminatory advertisements. N.I.

(1) It shall be unlawful to publish in Northern Ireland, or cause to be published there, an advertisment which indicates, or could reasonably be understood as indicating, an intention by a person to do an act which is unlawful by virtue of Part III.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the intended act would be prevented from being unlawful by any provision of Part V.

[F21 (2A) Subsection (1) does not apply to the publisher of an advertisement in respect of the publication of the advertisement if the intended act would not be unlawful by virtue of Part III but for section 16(2)(b).]

(3) The publisher of an advertisement which is unlawful by virtue of subsection (1) shall not be subject to any liability under that subsection in respect of the publication of the advertisement if he proves—

(a) that the advertisement was published in reliance on a statement made to him by the person who caused it to be published to the effect that, by reason of the operation of subsection (2), the publication would not be unlawful, and

(b) that it was reasonable for him to rely on the statement.

(4) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a statement such as is referred to in subsection (3)(a) which in a material respect is false or misleading shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F22 level 5 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F21 S. 33(2A) inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 52(1)

F22 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), arts. 5, 6

34 Accessories and incitement. N.I.

(1) Any person who—

(a) knowingly aids or incites, or

(b) directs, procures or induces,

another to do an act which is unlawful by virtue of Part III or section 33 shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as if he, as well as that other, had done that act.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) an employee or agent for whose act the employer or principal is liable under section 35 (or would be so liable but for section 35(3)) shall be deemed to aid the doing of the act by the employer or principal.

(3) A person does not under this section knowingly aid another to do an unlawful act if—

(a) he acts in reliance on a statement made to him by that other person that, by reason of any provision of this Act, the act which he aids would not be unlawful, and

(b) it is reasonable for him to rely on the statement.

(4) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a statement such as is referred to in subsection (3)(a) which in a material respect is false or misleading shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F23 level 5 on the standard scale].

(5) An inducement consisting of an offer of benefit or a threat of detriment is not prevented from falling within subsection (1) because the offer or threat was not made directly to the person in question.

Textual Amendments

F23 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), arts. 5, 6

35 Liability of employers and principals. N.I.

(1) Anything done by a person in the course of his employment shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as done by his employer as well as by him, whether or not it was done with the employer’s knowledge or approval.

(2) Anything done by a person as agent for another person with the authority (whether express or implied and whether precedent or subsequent) of that other person shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as done by that other person as well as by him.

(3) In proceedings brought under this Act against any person in respect of an act alleged to have been done by an employee of his it shall be a defence for that person to prove that he took such steps as were reasonably practicable to prevent the employee from doing that act or from doing in the course of his employment acts of the same description.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10 S. 35 modified by S.R. 1991/127, art. 3,Sch.

36 Enforcement of s. 33. N.I.

[F24 (1) If it appears to the Commission—

(a) that a person has done an act which by virtue of section 33 was unlawful, and

(b) that unless restrained he is likely to do further acts which by virtue of that section are unlawful,

the Commission may apply to the High Court for an injunction restraining him from doing such acts.]

(2) Where the act mentioned in subsection (1)(a) is a continuing act, the reference in subsection (1)(b) to further acts shall include a reference to the continuance of that act.

Textual Amendments

F24 S. 36(1) substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 52(2)

Part V N.I. Exceptions

37 Excepted employments, etc. N.I.

(1) [F25 Parts III and IV and the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] shall not apply to or in relation to—

(a) any employment or occupation as a clergyman or minister of a religious denomination;

(b) employment for the purposes of a private household; or

(c) employment as a teacher in a school.

(2) [F26 The Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] shall not apply to or in relation to any employment or occupation, other than one mentioned in subsection (1), where the essential nature of the job requires it to be done by a person holding, or not holding, a particular religious belief.

(3) Parts III and IV, so far as they relate to discrimination on the ground of religious belief, shall not apply to or in relation to any employment or occupation, other than one mentioned in subsection (1), where the essential nature of the job requires it to be done by a person holding, or not holding, a particular religious belief; nor, so far as they relate to discrimination on the ground of political opinion, shall they apply to or in relation to an employment or occupation where the essential nature of the job requires it to be done by a person holding, or not holding, a particular political opinion.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F27

(5) Subsection (1) is subject to the power conferred by section 39 to remove or limit the exception made by paragraph (c) of that subsection.

Textual Amendments

F25 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 8(a)

F26 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 8(b)

F27 S. 37(4) repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11 S. 37 modified by S.R. 1991/127, art. 3,Sch.

[F28 37A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F29 37B Redundancy. N.I.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a practice relating to the selection of employees who may be dismissed as redundant is followed by an employer in pursuance of affirmative action and in accordance with an agreed procedure, and

(b) the practice does not involve the application of any condition or requirement framed by reference to religious belief or political opinion, but has or may have the effect that the proportion of employees of a particular religious belief or political opinion who are selected is smaller than the proportion of employees not of that religious belief or, as the case may be, not of that political opinion who are selected.

(2) The dismissal of an employee in pursuance of the practice is not by virtue of section 16(2) unlawful under any provision of Parts III and IV.]

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 37B inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 54

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12 S. 37B modified by S.R.1991/127, art. 3,Sch.

[F30 37C Measures to encourage applications etc. from under-represented community. N.I.

Nothing in Parts III or IV shall render unlawful any act done by—

(a) an employer,

(b) an employment agency,

(c) a vocational organisation, or

(d) a person providing services as mentioned in section 22(1),

in or in connection with encouraging members of the Roman Catholic, or members of the Protestant, community in Northern Ireland to consider or to apply for a particular employment or particular training or to consider a particular occupation, where the act is done in pursuance of affirmative action.]

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 37C inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 55

38 Review of exception of school teachers. N.I.

(1) The [F31 Commission] shall keep under review the exception contained in section 37(1)(c) relating to the employment of teachers in schools, with a view to considering whether, in the [F31 Commission’s] opinion, it is appropriate that any steps should be taken to further equality of opportunity in the employment of such teachers.

(2) For the purpose of assisting it in the discharge of its duty under subsection (1), the [F31 Commission] may conduct investigations—

(a) into the composition, by reference to religious beliefs, of the staff employed as teachers, or teachers of any class, in schools generally, schools of any class or particular schools; and

(b) into practices—

(i) affecting the recruitment or access to benefits of, or the terms of employment applicable to, such staff, or

(ii) involving any detriment to such staff,

including practices discontinued before the time of the investigation so far as relevant for explaining the composition of the staff at that time.

(3) The [F31 Commission] may from time to time, and shall whenever the Secretary of State so directs, report to the Secretary of State upon the exercise of its functions under this section; and a report under this subsection may make recommendations as to any action which the [F31 Commission] considers ought to be taken to further equality of opportunity in the employment of teachers, or teachers of any class, in schools, or in schools of any class (including action by way of the exercise of the power conferred by section 39 to remove or limit the exception contained in section 37(1)(c)).

(4) [F32 Schedule 1 to the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] shall have effect with respect to the conduct of investigations under this section.

Textual Amendments

F31 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 9(a)

F32 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 9(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13 S. 38 restricted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 11(3), Sch. 1

C14 S. 38 modified by S.R. 1991/127, art. 3,Sch.

39 Power to remove or limit exception of school-teachers. N.I.

(1) The Secretary of State may by order provide that section 37(1)(c)—

(a) shall cease to have effect; or

(b) shall, on and after such day or days as may be specified in the order, have effect only in relation to particular classes of teachers or particular classes of schools or for particular purposes of [F33 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts].

(2) An order under subsection (1) may make all or any of the provisions mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection, and may do so by way of exception or otherwise.

(3) An order under subsection (1) may include transitional provisions.

(4) The power to make an order under subsection (1)(b) includes power to vary or revoke the order.

(5) The Secretary of State shall not make an order under subsection (1) unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and has been approved by, both Houses of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F33 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 10

40 Charities. N.I.

(1) Nothing in [F34 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts] shall—

(a) be construed as affecting a provision to which this subsection applies, or

(b) render unlawful an act which is done in order to give effect to such a provision.

(2) Subsection (1) applies to a provision for conferring benefits on persons of a particular religious belief or a particular political opinion (disregarding any benefits to persons not of that belief or opinion which are exceptional or are relatively insignificant), being a provision—

(a) which is contained in an enactment or instrument, and

(b) which has been enacted or made for purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of Northern Ireland.

(3) In subsection (2) “enactment” includes an enactment contained in a local or personal Act (including an Act of the Parliament of Northern Ireland).

Textual Amendments

F34 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 10

41 Acts done under statutory authority. N.I.

(1) Nothing in [F35 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts] shall render unlawful anything done in order to comply with a requirement—

(a) of an enactment enacted before the passing of this Act; or

(b) of an instrument made or approved (whether before or after the passing of this Act) under an enactment enacted before the passing of this Act.

(2) Where an enactment enacted after the passing of this Act re-enacts (with or without modification) a provision of an enactment enacted before the passing of this Act, subsection (1) shall apply to that provision as re-enacted as if it continued to be contained in an enactment enacted before the passing of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F35 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 11

42 Acts done to safeguard national security, etc. N.I.

(1) [F36 The Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts] shall not apply to an act done for the purpose of safeguarding national security or of protecting public safety or public order.

(2) A certificate signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of State and certifying that an act specified in the certificate was done for a purpose mentioned in subsection (1) shall be conclusive evidence that it was done for that purpose.

(3) A document purporting to be a certificate such as is mentioned in subsection (2) shall be received in evidence and, unless the contrary is proved, shall be deemed to be such a certificate.

Textual Amendments

F36 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 12

Part V N.I. Exceptions

37 Excepted employments, etc. N.I.

(1) [F25 Parts III and IV and the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] shall not apply to or in relation to—

(a) any employment or occupation as a clergyman or minister of a religious denomination;

(b) employment for the purposes of a private household; or

(c) employment as a teacher in a school.

(2) [F26 The Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] shall not apply to or in relation to any employment or occupation, other than one mentioned in subsection (1), where the essential nature of the job requires it to be done by a person holding, or not holding, a particular religious belief.

(3) Parts III and IV, so far as they relate to discrimination on the ground of religious belief, shall not apply to or in relation to any employment or occupation, other than one mentioned in subsection (1), where the essential nature of the job requires it to be done by a person holding, or not holding, a particular religious belief; nor, so far as they relate to discrimination on the ground of political opinion, shall they apply to or in relation to an employment or occupation where the essential nature of the job requires it to be done by a person holding, or not holding, a particular political opinion.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F27

(5) Subsection (1) is subject to the power conferred by section 39 to remove or limit the exception made by paragraph (c) of that subsection.

Textual Amendments

F25 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 8(a)

F26 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 8(b)

F27 S. 37(4) repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11 S. 37 modified by S.R. 1991/127, art. 3,Sch.

[F28 37A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F29 37B Redundancy. N.I.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a practice relating to the selection of employees who may be dismissed as redundant is followed by an employer in pursuance of affirmative action and in accordance with an agreed procedure, and

(b) the practice does not involve the application of any condition or requirement framed by reference to religious belief or political opinion, but has or may have the effect that the proportion of employees of a particular religious belief or political opinion who are selected is smaller than the proportion of employees not of that religious belief or, as the case may be, not of that political opinion who are selected.

(2) The dismissal of an employee in pursuance of the practice is not by virtue of section 16(2) unlawful under any provision of Parts III and IV.]

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 37B inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 54

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12 S. 37B modified by S.R.1991/127, art. 3,Sch.

[F30 37C Measures to encourage applications etc. from under-represented community. N.I.

Nothing in Parts III or IV shall render unlawful any act done by—

(a) an employer,

(b) an employment agency,

(c) a vocational organisation, or

(d) a person providing services as mentioned in section 22(1),

in or in connection with encouraging members of the Roman Catholic, or members of the Protestant, community in Northern Ireland to consider or to apply for a particular employment or particular training or to consider a particular occupation, where the act is done in pursuance of affirmative action.]

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 37C inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 55

38 Review of exception of school teachers. N.I.

(1) The [F31 Commission] shall keep under review the exception contained in section 37(1)(c) relating to the employment of teachers in schools, with a view to considering whether, in the [F31 Commission’s] opinion, it is appropriate that any steps should be taken to further equality of opportunity in the employment of such teachers.

(2) For the purpose of assisting it in the discharge of its duty under subsection (1), the [F31 Commission] may conduct investigations—

(a) into the composition, by reference to religious beliefs, of the staff employed as teachers, or teachers of any class, in schools generally, schools of any class or particular schools; and

(b) into practices—

(i) affecting the recruitment or access to benefits of, or the terms of employment applicable to, such staff, or

(ii) involving any detriment to such staff,

including practices discontinued before the time of the investigation so far as relevant for explaining the composition of the staff at that time.

(3) The [F31 Commission] may from time to time, and shall whenever the Secretary of State so directs, report to the Secretary of State upon the exercise of its functions under this section; and a report under this subsection may make recommendations as to any action which the [F31 Commission] considers ought to be taken to further equality of opportunity in the employment of teachers, or teachers of any class, in schools, or in schools of any class (including action by way of the exercise of the power conferred by section 39 to remove or limit the exception contained in section 37(1)(c)).

(4) [F32 Schedule 1 to the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] shall have effect with respect to the conduct of investigations under this section.

Textual Amendments

F31 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 9(a)

F32 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 9(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13 S. 38 restricted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 11(3), Sch. 1

C14 S. 38 modified by S.R. 1991/127, art. 3,Sch.

39 Power to remove or limit exception of school-teachers. N.I.

(1) The Secretary of State may by order provide that section 37(1)(c)—

(a) shall cease to have effect; or

(b) shall, on and after such day or days as may be specified in the order, have effect only in relation to particular classes of teachers or particular classes of schools or for particular purposes of [F33 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts].

(2) An order under subsection (1) may make all or any of the provisions mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection, and may do so by way of exception or otherwise.

(3) An order under subsection (1) may include transitional provisions.

(4) The power to make an order under subsection (1)(b) includes power to vary or revoke the order.

(5) The Secretary of State shall not make an order under subsection (1) unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and has been approved by, both Houses of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F33 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 10

40 Charities. N.I.

(1) Nothing in [F34 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts] shall—

(a) be construed as affecting a provision to which this subsection applies, or

(b) render unlawful an act which is done in order to give effect to such a provision.

(2) Subsection (1) applies to a provision for conferring benefits on persons of a particular religious belief or a particular political opinion (disregarding any benefits to persons not of that belief or opinion which are exceptional or are relatively insignificant), being a provision—

(a) which is contained in an enactment or instrument, and

(b) which has been enacted or made for purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of Northern Ireland.

(3) In subsection (2) “enactment” includes an enactment contained in a local or personal Act (including an Act of the Parliament of Northern Ireland).

Textual Amendments

F34 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 10

41 Acts done under statutory authority. N.I.

(1) Nothing in [F35 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts] shall render unlawful anything done in order to comply with a requirement—

(a) of an enactment enacted before the passing of this Act; or

(b) of an instrument made or approved (whether before or after the passing of this Act) under an enactment enacted before the passing of this Act.

(2) Where an enactment enacted after the passing of this Act re-enacts (with or without modification) a provision of an enactment enacted before the passing of this Act, subsection (1) shall apply to that provision as re-enacted as if it continued to be contained in an enactment enacted before the passing of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F35 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 11

42 Acts done to safeguard national security, etc. N.I.

(1) [F36 The Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts] shall not apply to an act done for the purpose of safeguarding national security or of protecting public safety or public order.

(2) A certificate signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of State and certifying that an act specified in the certificate was done for a purpose mentioned in subsection (1) shall be conclusive evidence that it was done for that purpose.

(3) A document purporting to be a certificate such as is mentioned in subsection (2) shall be received in evidence and, unless the contrary is proved, shall be deemed to be such a certificate.

Textual Amendments

F36 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 12

Part VI U.K. Miscellaneous

Restriction on proceedings N.I.

43 F37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F37 S. 43 repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

Supplementary provisions as to the county court U.K.

44–46 F38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F38 Ss. 44–46 repealed (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(2), 60(2), Sch. 3

47 F39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F39 S. 47 repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3 (but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) )

48 F40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N.I.

Textual Amendments

F40 S. 48 repealed (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(2), 60(2), Sch. 3

Construction of references to employment or occupation in Northern Ireland N.I.

49 Meaning of “employment in Northern Ireland” and “occupation in Northern Ireland”. N.I.

(1) For the purposes of [F41 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989], employment is to be regarded as being employment in Northern Ireland unless the employee does his work wholly or mainly outside Northern Ireland.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a) employment on board a ship registered at a port of registry in Northern Ireland, or

(b) employment on an aircraft or hovercraft operated by a person who has his principal place of business, or is ordinarily resident, in Northern Ireland;

but for the purposes of [F41 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] such employment is to be regarded as being employment in Northern Ireland unless the employee does his work wholly outside Northern Ireland.

(3) In relation to employment concerned with [F42 the exploration of the sea bed or subsoil or the exploitation of their natural resources][F42 any activity falling within section 23(2) of the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982], the Department may by order provide that subsections (1) and (2) shall each have effect as if the last reference to Northern Ireland included any area for the time being designated under section 1(7) of the M4 Continental Shelf Act 1964 [F43 or specified under section 22(5) of the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982], or any part of such an area, in which the law of Northern Ireland applies.

(4) An order under subsection (3) may provide that, in relation to employment to which the order applies or any class of such employment, [F44 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts are] is to have effect with such modifications as are specified in the order.

(5) The power to make an order under subsection (3) includes power to vary or revoke the order.

(6) The Department shall not make an order under subsection (3) unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and has been approved by, the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F45

(8) In this section references to the work an employee does include, in relation to a person who is seeking employment or a person who has ceased to be in employment, references to, respectively, the work he would do if employed or the work he did when employed.

(9) This section has effect for construing references in [F46 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts] to a person’s being engaged, or seeking to become engaged, in an occupation in Northern Ireland as if references in this section to employment were references to an occupation and references to an employee were to a person engaged, or seeking to become engaged, in an occupation.

[F47 (10) In the application of subsections (1) to (6) for the purposes of Part II of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989, references to employment are references to employment within the meaning of that Part.]

Textual Amendments

F41 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(2)

F42 In s. 49(3) Words “any activity falling within section 23(2) of the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982” substituted (prosp.) for words from “the exploration” to “natural resources” by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 38(2), Sch. 3 para. 35(a)

F43 Words inserted (prosp.) by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 38(2), Sch. 3 para. 35(b)

F44 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(3)

F45 S. 49(7) repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1)(2), Sch. 2 para. 13(4), Sch. 3

F46 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(5)

F47 S. 49(10) inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 13(6)

Marginal Citations

M4 1964 c. 29.

Application to the Crown, police and public bodies U.K.

50 Application of Act to the Crown. N.I.

(1) Subject to sections 51 to 54, this Act [F48 and Part I of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] applies—

(a) to an act done by or for purposes of a Minister of the Crown or a government department, or

(b) to an act done on behalf of the Crown by a statutory body or a person holding a statutory office, or

(c) to an act done by a member of Her Majesty’s forces acting as such,

as it applies to an act done by a private person.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), in this Act [F48 and Part I of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989]—

(a) references to employment include references to—

(i) service for purposes of a Minister of the Crown or government department, other than service of a person holding a statutory office, and

(ii) service on behalf of the Crown for purposes of a person holding a statutory office or purposes of a statutory body, and

(iii) service as a member of Her Majesty’s forces;

(b) references to a contract of employment include references to the terms of such service;

(c) references to an employee include references to a person who is seeking to become engaged in such service, who is in such service or who has ceased to be in such service; and

(d) references to an employer, in relation to an employee, include references to (as the case requires) the authority with power to appoint him, to fix his terms of service, to afford him any benefit, to dismiss him or to subject him to any detriment.

(3) Subsection (2) of section 49 (or that subsection as it has effect by virtue of an order under subsection (3) of that section) shall have effect in relation to any ship, aircraft or hovercraft belonging to or possessed by Her Majesty in right of the Government of Northern Ireland as it has effect in relation to a ship, aircraft or hovercraft mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection; and that subsection shall not have effect in relation to any ship, aircraft or hovercraft belonging to or possessed by Her Majesty in right of the Government of the United Kingdom.

(4) In this section and sections 51, 52 and 54 references to the Crown include it both in right of the Government of the United Kindom and in right of the Government of Northern Ireland; and—

(a) in this section and section 54 references to Her Majesty’s forces are references to—

(i) the naval, military or air forces of the Crown, . . . F49

(ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F49

but do not include references to any cadet training corps for the time being administered by the Ministry of Defence; and

(b) in this section service “for purposes of” a Minister of the Crown or government department does not include service in any office in Schedule 2 (Ministerial offices) to the M5 House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 as for the time being in force.

Textual Amendments

F48 Words inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 14

F49 S. 50(4)(a)(ii) and the word “and” immediately preceding it repealed (with saving) by Armed Forces Act 1981 (c. 55, SIF 7:1), s. 28(2), Sch. 5

Marginal Citations

M5 1975 c. 24.

51 Proceedings against Crown for unlawful discrimination. N.I.

The provisions of Parts II to IV of the M6 Crown Proceedings Act 1947 shall apply to proceedings against the Crown under [F50 section 24] as they apply to proceedings in Northern Ireland which by virtue of section 23 of that Act are treated for the purposes of Part II of that Act as civil proceedings by or against the Crown, except that in their application to proceedings under [F50 section 24]—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F51

(b) section 28 of that Act (discovery) shall have effect subject to section 52(2) of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F50 Words “section 24” substituted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) for the words “section 30” by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c.32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 15(a)

F51 s. 51 paragraph (a) and the word “and” immediately following it repealed (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1)(2), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 15(b), Sch. 3

Marginal Citations

M6 1947 c. 44.

52 Disclosure of information by Crown for purposes of investigation or proceedings. U.K.

(1) Subject to subsection (2), any obligation to maintain secrecy or other restriction upon the disclosure of information obtained by or furnished to persons in the service of the Crown, whether imposed by any enactment or by any rule of law, shall not apply to the disclosure of information for the purposes of any investigation, appeal or proceedings under [F52 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts]; and the Crown shall not be entitled in relation to any such investigation, appeal or proceedings to any such privelege in respect of the production of documents or the giving of evidence as is allowed to the Crown alone by law in legal proceedings.

(2) A Minister of the Crown or the head of a Northern Ireland department may by a certificate in writing, with respect to any document or information specified in the certificate, or documents or information of any class so specified, certify that in his opinion the disclosure of that document or information or of documents or information of that class would be prejudicial to the safety of the United Kingdom or any part of it or otherwise contrary to the public interest; and where such a certificate is given nothing in [F52 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts] shall be construed as authorising or requiring the communication to any person or for any purpose of any document or information specified in the certificate, or any document or information of a class so specified.

(3) A document purporting to be a certificate such as is mentioned in subsection (2) shall be received in evidence and, unless the contrary is proved, shall be deemed to be such a certificate.

(4) Where, in consequence of the enactment of subsection (1), any information is disclosed to persons not in the service of the Crown, those persons shall, without prejudice to subsections (1) and (2) and subject to subsection (5), be subject to the same restrictions upon the disclosure of the information as if they were in that service, and, in particular, the M7 Official Secrets Act 1911 shall have effect in relation to them as if they were persons holding office under Her Majesty.

(5) Where a person to whom subsection (4) applies is a member officer or servant of [F53 the Commission or the Tribunal], that subsection shall not preclude his disclosing the information in question to any other person so far as such disclosure is necessary—

[F54 (a) for the purpose of communicating in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts the Tribunal’s decision on an appeal and the reasons for it;]

(b) for the purposes of any criminal proceedings or to comply with the order of a court.

(6) Any reference in subsection (2) to a Minister of the Crown includes a reference to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise and the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

Textual Amendments

F52 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 16(2)

F53 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 16(3)(a)

F54 S. 52(5)(a) substituted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) for s. 52(5)(a) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 16(3)(b)

Marginal Citations

M7 1911 c. 28.

53 Application of Act to the police. N.I.

(1) For the purposes of this Act [F55 and Part I of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] the holding of the office of constable shall be treated as employment—

(a) by the chief officer of police as respects any act done by him in relation to a constable or that office;

(b) by the police authority as respects any act done by them in relation to a constable or that office.

(2) There shall be defrayed as expenses of the police authority—

(a) any damages or costs awarded against a chief officer of police in any proceedings under this Act [F56 or Part I of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989], any costs incurred by him in any such proceedings so far as not recovered by him in the proceedings, and any costs incurred by him in connection with any investigation under [F57 that Part so far as not defrayed by sums paid by the Commission under paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to that Act]; and

(b) any sum required by a chief officer of police in connection with the settlement of any complaint made or action brought against him under this Act, if the settlement is approved by the police authority.

(3) Any proceedings under this Act [F58 or Part I of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] which, by virtue of subsection (1), would lie against a chief officer of police shall be brought against the chief officer of police for the time being or, in the case of a vacancy in that office, against the person for the time being performing the functions of that office; and references in subsections (2) and (4) to the chief officer of police shall be construed accordingly.

(4) The police authority may make arrangements for the legal representation of the chief officer of police in any . . . F59 proceedings under this Act [F60 or Part I of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989].

(5) This section applies to a police cadet and appointment as a police cadet as it applies to a constable and the office of constable.

(6) In this section—

• “chief officer of police”—

(a) in relation to a person appointed, or an appointment falling to be made, to the police force or as a police cadet in relation to that force, means the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary,

(b) in relation to any other person or appointment means the officer who has the direction and control of the body of constables or cadets in question;

• “police authority”—

(a) in relation to a person appointed, or an appointment falling to be made, to the police force or as a police cadet in relation to that force, means the Police Authority for Northern Ireland,

(b) in relation to any other person or appointment, means the authority by whom the person in question is, or on appointment would be, paid;

• “police cadet” means any person appointed to undergo training with a view to becoming a constable;

• “police force” has the same meaning as in the M8 Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970.

Textual Amendments

F55 Words inserted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 17(2)

F56 Words inserted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 17(3)(a)

F57 Words substituted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 17(3)(b)

F58 Words inserted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 17(4)

F59 Words repealed (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1)(2), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 17(5)(a), Sch. 3

F60 Words inserted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 17(5)(b)

Marginal Citations

M8 1970 c. 9 (N.I.)

54 Procedure following investigation under s. 12 of Minister, government department, certain statutory bodies or statutory officers and police. N.I.

(1) This section applies where, following an investigation under [F61 section 11 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989, the Commission is of the opinion that action for promoting equality of opportunity ought to be taken] by any of the following authorities, namely,—

(a) a Minister of the Crown or a government department or a person acting for purposes of such a Minister or department; or

(b) a member of Her Majesty’s forces acting as such; or

(c) any other person acting on behalf of the Crown, being a statutory body or a person holding a statutory office; or

(d) the Police Authority for Northern Ireland or the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary;

and, accordingly, [F62 sections 12(3), 14, 15 and 16 of that Act] shall not have effect in relation to any such authority.

(2) Where the Agency asks for an undertaking such as is mentioned in [F63 section 12(2)(b) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989], but—

(a) the undertaking is not given, or

(b) the undertaking, although given, is not complied with,

the Agency shall, subject to subsection (4), send a report of the results of its investigation and of the opinion it has formed in relation to the subject-matter of the investigation (including any recommendations the Agency considers appropriate for action on the part of the authority concerned)—

(i) where the investigation related to a Minister of the Crown, to that Minister;

(ii) where the investigation related to a government department, to the Minister of the Crown in charge of the department, or in the case of a Northern Ireland department to the head of the department, or

(iii) where the investigation related to any other aughority, to the Minister of the Crown or the head of the Northern Ireland department generally responsible for matters falling within the scope of the functions of that authority.

(3) Where the report is sent to a Minister of the Crown he shall lay it before Parliament; and where the report is sent to the head of a Northern Ireland department he shall lay it before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(4) [F64 If a report is required by subsections (2) and (3) to be sent to the head of a Northern Ireland department and laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly at a time when no such head stands appointed, the report] shall, instead, be sent to the Secretary of State and laid by him before Parliament.

(5) A person who is not in the service of the Crown shall not be regarded as within subsection (1)(a) by reason only of his acting in pursuance of a contract entered into with a Minister of the Crown or a government department.

Textual Amendments

F61 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 18(2)(a)

F62 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 18(2)(b)

F63 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 18(3)

F64 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 18(4)

General U.K.

55 Service of documents. N.I.

(1) Any notice or other document which is required or permitted by [F65 the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts] to be served on a person may—

(a) if that person is an individual, be served on him—

(i) by delivering it to him, or

(ii) by sending it to him by post, addressed to him at his usual or last-known place of residence or business, or

(iii) by leaving it for him at that place; or

(b) if that person is a body corporate or unincorporate, be served on the body—

(i) by sending it by post to the proper officer of the body at its registered or principal office, or at its principal office in Northern Ireland, or

(ii) by addressing it to the proper officer of the body and leaving it at any such office.

(2) Subsection (1) does not prejudice any other lawful method of service.

Textual Amendments

F65 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 19

56 Orders and reports. N.I.

(1) Any power of the Secretary of State to make an order under section 39(1) or section 59(5) shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

[F66 (2) The power of the Department to make [F67 regulations under section 28 or an order under section 26(9) or] 49(3) shall be exercisable by statutory rule for the purposes of the M9 Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979.]

(3) For the purpose of laying before the Northern Ireland Assembly—

(a) a draft of an order under section 49(3); or

(b) a report under section 54(2); or

(c) the [F68 Commission]’s annual report,

section 41(3) of the M10 Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (laying of statutory documents) shall have effect as if the draft order and the reports were statutory documents within the meaning of that Act.

Textual Amendments

F66 S. 56(2) substituted by S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12), Sch. 4 para. 18

F67 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 20(a)

F68 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 20(b)

Marginal Citations

M9 S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12).

M10 1954 c. 33 (N.I.)

57 General interpretation. U.K.

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

• “access” shall be construed in accordance with subsection (7);

• “act” includes a deliberate omission, and any reference to an act, action or other thing done shall be construed accordingly;

• “advertisement” includes every form of advertisement, whether to the public or not, and whether in a newspaper or other publication, by television or radio, by display or circulation of notices or circulars, by exhibition of pictures, models or films or in any other way, and references to the publishing of advertisements shall be construed accordingly;

• [F69 “affirmative action”has the meaning given by section 58 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989;]

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F70

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F70

• “benefits” includes all opportunities, services and facilities, and, in particular, includes opportunities for training, transfer or promotion, for betterment of any kind (including more attractive times or conditions of work) or for any financial advantage (including bonuses, advances of money and preferential terms for acquiring property of any kind);

• [F71 “the Commission” means the Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland;]

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F72

• “complainant” means a person making a complaint that unlawful discrimination has been committed against him . . . F73

• “complaint” means a complaint of unlawful discrimination made to the [F74 Tribunal] under section 24;

• “confer”, in relation to a qualification, includes renew and extend;

• “contract” includes any contract, whether in writing or oral, express or implied;

• “contravention”, in relation to any provision, includes a failure to comply with that provision;

• “costs” includes expenses;

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F75

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F76

• “the Department” means the Department of Manpower Services for Northern Ireland;

• “the Department of Finance” means the Department of Finance for Northern Ireland;

• “discrimination” and “discriminate” shall be construed in accordance with section 16(1) to (4);

• “employer” means—

  (a)

  in relation to a person who is seeking employment, anybody who has employment available;

  (b)

  in relation to a person employed under a contract of service or of apprenticeship or a contract personally to execute any work or labour, the person entitled to the benefit of that contract;

  (c)

  in relation to a person who has ceased to be in employment, his former employer;

  and “employee”, correspondingly, means such a person as is first mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this definition;

• “employment” means employment under a contract of service or apprenticeship or a contract personally to execute any work or labour, and, without prejudice to the definitions of “employer” and “employee” above, related expressions shall be construed accordingly;

• “employment agency” means a person who, for profit or not, provides services for the purpose of finding employment for workers or supplying employers with workers;

• “employment in Northern Ireland” shall be construed in accordance with section 49;

• “enactment” includes an enactment contained in an Act of the Parliament of Northern Ireland or an Order in Council made under the M11 Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972, or in a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly;

• “equality of opportunity” shall be construed in accordance with [F77 section 20 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989];

• “financial year” means a year ending on 31st March;

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F78

• “government department” includes a Northern Ireland department;

• “the High Court” means the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland;

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F78

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F79

• “member”, in relation to a vocational organisation, includes (except in section 21) a person seeking to become a member and a person who has ceased to be a member, and in relation to such an organisation (other than an organisation of workers or employers) also includes any person belonging to a class of person recognised by the organisation as having any particular status in connection with an employment or occupation for the purposes of which the organisation exists, including students and associates, and “membership” shall be construed accordingly.

• “Northern Ireland” includes such of the territorial waters of the United Kingdom as are adjacent to Northern Ireland;

• “notice” means a notice in writing;

• “occupation” includes any trade, business, profession or vocation, but not any employment;

• “occupation in Northern Ireland” shall be construed in accordance with section 49;

• “organisation” includes any society or association whether corporate or unincorporate;

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F79

• “practices” includes procedures and arrangements;

• “proper officer”, in relation to any body corporate or unincorporate, means the secretary or other executive officer charged with the conduct of the general affairs of the body;

• “qualification” includes authorisation, recognition, registration, enrolment, approval and certification;

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F79

• “the respondent”, in relation to a complaint, has the meaning given by section 24(1);

• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F79

• “school” has the same meaning as in the M12 Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order [F80 1986];

• “the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights” means the commission constituted by that name under section 20 of the M13 Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973;

• “statutory body” means a body set up by or in pursuance of an enactment, and “statutory office” means an office so set up;

• “training” includes any form of education or instruction, except that in [F81 section 22 of this Act and sections 11(1)(e) and 20(4)(b)(ii) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989] it does not include [F82 education provided by]—

  (a)

  a school, or

  (b)

  an institution of further education within the meaning of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order [F83 1986] or an institution in respect of which contributions are paid by an Education and Library Board under [F84 Article 100(8) of the Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989], or

  (c)

  [F85 a college of education within the meaning of that Order;]

  (d)

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F86

  (e)

  a university;

• [F87 “the Tribunal” means the Fair Employment Tribunal for Northern Ireland;]

• “unlawful discrimination” shall be construed in accordance with section 16(5);

• “vocational organisation” means—

  (a)

  an organisation of workers, or

  (b)

  an organisation of employers, or

  (c)

  any other organisation of persons engaged in a particular employment or occupation, or employments or occupations of any class, for the purposes of which the organisation exists.

(2) In this Act references to a person’s religious belief or political opinion include references to his supposed religious belief or political opinion and to the absence or supposed absence of any, or any particular, religious belief or political opinion.

(3) In this Act any reference to a person’s political opinion does not include an opinion which consists of or includes approval or acceptance of the use of violence for political ends connected with Northern Irish affairs (including the use of violence for the purpose of putting the public or any section of the public in fear).

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F88

(5) For the purposes of this Act a person is seeking employment if he is available for employment, whether or not he is aware of the existence of an opportunity for any particular employment.

(6) References in this Act to submitting a person for consideration for employment include references to making available to an employer in any way relevant particulars relating to him.

(7) References in this Act to the affording by any person of access to benefits are not limited to benefits provided by him alone, but include any means by which it is in his power to facilitate access to benefits provided by others.

(8) Without prejudice to any provision of section 49 or any order under subsection (3) of that section and subject to any other provision of this Act which is limited by its express terms to acts done in Northern Ireland, references (however expressed) in this Act to acts done or to power to do any acts, other than references to acts which may be the subject of criminal proceedings under this Act, include references to acts done or power to do the acts outside Northern Ireland; and references to a contract include references to a contract the proper law of which is not the law of Northern Ireland.

(9)(10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F88

(11) Except so far as the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Act to an enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or extended by or under any other enactment, including this Act.

(12) In this Act, except where otherwise indicated,—

(a) a reference to a numbered Part, section or Schedule is a reference to the Part or section of, or the Schedule to, this Act so numbered, and

(b) a reference in a section to a numbered subsection is a reference to the subsection of that section so numbered, and

(c) a reference in a section, subsection or Schedule to a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph of that section, subsection or Schedule so numbered, and

(d) a reference in a paragraph of a section, subsection or Schedule to a numbered sub-paragraph is a reference to the sub-paragraph of that paragraph so numbered.

Textual Amendments

F69 Definition inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 21(a)

F70 Definitions repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

F71 Definition inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 21(b)

F72 Definition repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

F73 Words repealed (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(2), 60(2), Sch. 3

F74 Word “Tribunal” substituted for word “Agency”by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 21(c) (coming into force 1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) )

F75 Definition repealed (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(2), 60(2), Sch. 3

F76 Definition repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

F77 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 21(d)

F78 Definitions repealed (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c.32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(2), 60(2), Sch. 3

F79 Definitions repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

F80 Words substituted by S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3), art. 132(2), Sch. 18

F81 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 21(e)(i)

F82 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 21(e)(ii)

F83 Words substituted by S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3), art. 132(2), Sch. 18

F84 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3), art. 132(2). Sch. 18 and S.I. 1989/2406 (N.I. 20), art. 166, Sch. 9

F85 Paragraph (c) substituted by S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3), art. 132(2), Sch. 18

F86 Sub-para. (d) repealed by S.I. 1984/1167 (N.I. 10), art. 6(3), Sch. 2

F87 Definition inserted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 21(f)

F88 S. 57(4)(9)(10) repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15 S. 57 applied (4.8.1997) by S.I. 1997/869 (N.I. 6), art. 5(5); S.R. 1997/273, art. 2(4)

Marginal Citations

M11 1972 c. 22.

M12 S.I. 1986/1263 (N.I. 12)

M13 1973 c. 36.

58 Amendments and extension of enactments, and repeal. U.K.

(1) The enactments mentioned in Schedule 6 shall have effect subject to the respective amendments there specified (being amendments consequential on the provisions of this Act).

(2) The following enactments, namely,—

(a) section 5(2)(a) of the M14 Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967;

(b) section 5(2)(a) of the M15 Parliamentary Commissioner Act (Northern Ireland) 1969; and

(c) section 5(3)(a) of the M16 Commissioner for Complaints Act (Northern Ireland) 1969.

shall have effect in relation to the right of a person to make a complaint of unlawful discrimination under this Act as if it were such a right of appeal, reference or review as is mentioned in those enactments.

(3) Section 20(1)(b) of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 is hereby repealed.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16 The text of s. 51(1)(3), Schedule 6 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in the Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals that may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Marginal Citations

M14 1967 c. 13

M15 1969 c. 10 (N.I.)

M16 1969 c. 25 (N.I.)

59 Short title, extent and commencement. N.I.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976.

(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4) and without prejudice to section 57(8) . . . F89 , this Act extends to Northern Ireland only.

(3) The amendments, extension and repeal of enactments which are made by section 58(1), (2)(a) and (3) and Schedule 6 have the same extent as the enactments that are so amended, extended or repealed.

(4) Sections 47 and 52 and so much of section 57 as applies for the interpretation of those sections extend to the whole of the United Kingdom.

(5) This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint.

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F90

Textual Amendments

F89 Words repealed (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(2), 60(2), Sch. 3

F90 S. 59(6) repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C17 Powers of appointment conferred by s. 59(5)(6) fully exercised: 1.9.1976 appointed by S.I. 1976/1182

SCHEDULES

Section 1(2), Sch. 5 para. 12(1)(a).

SCHEDULE 1 N.I. The Fair Employment Agency for Northern Ireland

Incorporation and status N.I.

1 [F91 The Commission shall continue in existence as a body corporate.]

Textual Amendments

F91 Sch. 1 para. 1 substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 22

2 (1) The [F92 Commission] is not an emanation of the Crown, and shall not act or be treated as the servant or agent of the Crown.

(2) Accordingly—

(a) neither the [F92 Commission] nor any of its members or members of its staff as such is entitled to any status, immunity, privilege or exemption enjoyed by the Crown;

(b) the members of the [F92 Commission] and members of its staff as such are not civil servants; and

(c) the [F92 Commission] property is not property of, or held on behalf of, the Crown.

Textual Amendments

F92 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

Tenure of office of members N.I.

3 (1) A person shall hold and vacate his office as chairman or other member of the [F93 Commission] in accordance with terms of his appointment:

Provided that no such appointment shall be for a period exceeding five years in the case of the chairman and three years in the case of another member.

(2) A person may at any time resign office as chairman or other member of the [F93 Commission] by notice to the Department.

(3) Past service as chairman or other member of the [F93 Commission] is no bar to re-appointment.

Textual Amendments

F93 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

Remuneration of members N.I.

4 The Department may pay, or make such payments towards the provision of, such remuneration, allowances (including allowances for expenses), pensions or gratuities to or in respect of the chairman and other members of the [F94 Commission], or any of them, as, with the approval of the Department of Finance, it may determine.

Textual Amendments

F94 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C18 Functions of Department of Finance now exercisable by Department of the Civil Service: S.R. (N.I.) 1976 No. 281

Staff N.I.

5 (1) The [F95 Commission] may with the approval of the Department and the Department of Finance as to numbers and as to remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment—

(a) employ such officers and servants as the [F95 Commission] considers necessary;

(b) employ the services of such other persons as the [F95 Commission] considers expedient for any particular purpose.

(2) The [F95 Commission] may, in the case of such persons employed by it as may be determined by the [F95 Commission] with the approval of the Department and the Department of Finance, pay to or in respect of them such allowances (including allowances for expenses), pensions or gratuities, or provide and maintain for them such pension schemes (whether contributory or not), or contributory or other pension arrangements, as may be so determined.

Textual Amendments

F95 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19 Functions of Department of Finance now exercisable by Department of the Civil Service: S.R. (N.I.) 1976 No. 281

Proceedings N.I.

6 (1) Without prejudice to any provision of [F96 Schedule 1 to the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989], the [F97 Commission] may regulate its own procedure and business including the formalities for affixing its common seal to any document and, subject to sub-paragraph (2), its quorum.

(2) The quorum for meetings of the [F97 Commission] shall, in the first instance, be determined by a meeting of the [F97 Commission] attended by not less than five members.

Textual Amendments

F96 Words substituted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 24

F97 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

7 The validity of any proceedings of the [F98 Commission] shall not be affected by any vacancy in the office of chairman or other member of the [F98 Commission] or by any defect in the appointment of the chairman or any other member.

Textual Amendments

F98 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

Instruments N.I.

8 A document purporting to be duly executed under the common seal of the [F99 Commission] shall be received in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be so executed.

Textual Amendments

F99 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

9 Any contract or instrument which, if entered into or executed by an individual, would not require to be under seal may be entered into or executed on behalf of the [F100 Commission] by any person generally or specially authorised by the [F100 Commission] to act for that purpose, and any document purporting to be such a contract or instrument shall be deemed to be such a contract or instrument until the contrary is proved.

Textual Amendments

F100 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

Discharge of functions N.I.

10 (1) The [F101 Commission] may authorise the discharge, under the general direction of the [F101 Commission], of its functions [F102 in relation to any matter or class of matters falling to be dealt with by it] by either a member or a group of members of the [F101 Commission] selected by the chairman.

(2) Anything done by or in relation to a member or group of members in or in connection with the discharge of functions he or they are authorised to discharge under sub-paragraph (1) shall have the same effect as if done by or in relation to the [F101 Commission].

(3) A group of members authorised to discharge any functions under sub-paragraph (1) may regulate their own procedure and business, including their quorum.

(4) The validity of any proceedings of a member or group of members so authorised shall not be affected by any defect in his appointment or any of their appointments; and the validity of the proceedings of any such group shall not be affected by any vacancy in their number.

(5) The chairman may select himself, as the member, or as one of the group of members, mentioned in this paragraph.

Textual Amendments

F101 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

F102 Sch. 1 para. 10(1): Words from “in relation to any matter” to “by it” substituted (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) for words from “in relation to” to the end of para. (b) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 25

11 The [F103 Commission] may appoint as assessors, to assist—

(a) the [F103 Commission]; or

(b) any member or group of members authorised to discharge functions under paragraph 10,

in the investigation of any . . . F104 matter, persons appearing to the [F103 Commission] to have special knowledge and experience of the matters to which the investigation relates and of any other circumstances appearing to the [F103 Commission] to be relevant.

Textual Amendments

F103 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

F104 Words repealed (1.1.1990 but not so as to apply for the purposes of any complaint or act to which s. 50(2) of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 applies: S.I. 1989/1928, art. 2(4) ) by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 59(1)(2), 60(2), Sch. 2 para. 26, Sch. 3

Expenses and accounts N.I.

12 All expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the [F105 Commission]—

(a) within the terms of any general authorisation in writing given by the Department and the Department of Finance; or

(b) with the approval of those Departments;’

may be defrayed as expenses of the Department.

Textual Amendments

F105 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C20 Functions of Department of Finance now exercisable by Department of the Civil Service: S.R. (N.I.) 1976 No. 281

13 (1) The [F106 Commission] shall keep proper accounts in such form as may be approved by the Department, and proper records in relation to the accounts, and shall prepare in respect of [F107 each] financial year a statement of accounts in such form as the Department, with the approval of the Department of Finance may direct.

(2) The accounts of the [F106 Commission] shall be audited by auditors appointed by the [F106 Commission] with the approval of the Department and shall be vouched to the satisfaction of the auditors.

(3) The [F106 Commission] shall, at such time in each year as the Department may direct, transmit to the Department and the Comptroller and Auditor-General copies, certified by the auditors, of the annual statement of accounts.

(4) The Comptroller and Auditor-General—

(a) shall examine a copy of each annual statement of accounts of the [F106 Commission];

(b) may, in connection with such examination, examine any accounts kept by the [F106 Commission] and any records relating to the accounts; and

(c) shall make a report on the copy of each annual statement of accounts and send the report to the Department.

(5) Subject to sub-paragraph (6), a copy of every annual statement of accounts of the [F106 Commission] and a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor-General’s report thereon shall be laid by the head of the Department before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(6) [F108 If no head of the Department stands appointed for the time being] the copies mentioned in sub-paragraph (5) shall, instead, be sent by the Department to the Secretary of State and laid by him before Parliament.

(7) In this paragraph “the Comptroller and Auditor-General” means the Comptroller and Auditor-General for Northern Ireland.

Textual Amendments

F106 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

F107 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 27(a)

F108 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 27(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C21 Functions of Department of Finance now exercisable by Department of the Civil Service: S.R. (N.I.) 1976 No. 281

Annual report N.I.

14 (1) The [F109 Commission] shall prepare in respect of [F110 each] financial year a report on the [F109 Commission]’s activities during that . . . F111 year (“the annual report”).

(2) The annual report shall include a general survey of developments, during the period to which it relates, in respect of matters falling within the scope of the [F109 Commission]’s functions.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), the annual report shall be made to the head of the Department and shall be laid by him before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(4) [F112 If no head of the Department stands appointed for the time being] the annual report shall, instead, be made to the Secretary of State and laid by him before Parliament.

(5) The Department, or where sub-paragraph (4) applies the Secretary of State, shall cause the annual report to be published.

Textual Amendments

F109 Word substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 23

F110 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 28(a)

F111 Words repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

F112 Words substituted by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(1), Sch. 2 para. 28(b)

SCHEDULES 2,3,4,5. N.I. . . . F113

Textual Amendments

F113 Schedules 2–4 repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3; Schedule 5 repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), ss. 50(2), 59(2), Sch. 3

Section 58(1), 59(3).

SCHEDULE 6 U.K. Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22 The text of s. 51(1)(3), Schedule 6 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in the Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals that may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

The Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (c.36) U.K.

1 In section 19 of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (religious or political discrimination by certain public authorities to be unlawful)—

(a) at the beginning of subsection (1) there shall be inserted the words “ Subject to subsection (4) below” ; and

(b) after subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(4) This section does not apply to any act or omission which is unlawful by virtue of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976 or would be unlawful but for some exception made by virtue of Part V of that Act.”

2 In section 20(2) of that Act (membership of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights), after paragraph (d) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(dd) the chairman of the Fair Employment Agency for Northern Ireland; and ;

and for “ (d)” in the second place where it occurs there shall be substituted “ (dd)”. ”

The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24) U.K.

F114 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

3

Textual Amendments

F114 Schedule 6 para. 3 repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3

The Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25) U.K.

F115 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

4

Textual Amendments

F115 Schedule 6 para. 4 repealed by Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32, SIF 43:1), s. 59(2), Sch. 3