Lords Committee investigating Equality Act and disability looks at enforcement - how effective are alternatives to the courts?

The Committee aims to explore in next week's evidence session different ways in which redress can be sought when breaches of the Equality Act 2010 occur. The Committee will look at alternatives to using the courts – such as licensing, ombudsmen, or existing regulators.

The evidence sessions will hear from Marie-Claire Frankie, a solicitor for Sheffield Council, representing the National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers (NALEO); Mick Martin, Managing Director and Deputy Ombudsman, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO); Neil Crowther, expert on equality and human rights with a particular interest in the rights of disabled people, and Nick O'Brien, expert on disability, equality and human rights in the work of ombudsmen.

Questions that the Committee will want to ask on Tuesday at 3.20pm include:

• How should licensing authorities and ombudsmen take part in enforcing the requirements of the Act?
• Do you see complaints to licensing authorities as a more accessible means for gaining redress than the courts process?
• Is it mainly local authorities who could use licences in this way or are there other bodies?
• Do we need a disability ombudsman?
• Can disability be given extra emphasis within the Equality and Human Rights Commission?
• Is reasonable adjustment too vague?
• Is the Public Sector Equality Duty robust enough?

The evidence sessions will start at 3.20pm, on Tuesday 1 December, in Committee Room 4a of the House of Lords.