Towards a More Inclusive Future: The Case for a Single Equality Act in Northern Ireland

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Legal Island has been a respected and influential voice in the field of equality law and practice in Northern Ireland over the last 25 years, and we’d like to think our contributions, along with many others, have helped to shape and improve societal attitudes towards equality and diversity in NI.

We were talking about Diversity and Inclusion years ago and included sessions on menopause and bereavement in the workplace in our famous Annual Reviews of Employment Law long before they were trending on Twitter!

Not content with helping to shape societal attitudes, we’ve turned our attention to shaping the legal landscape and have been working with other key stakeholders to make the case for a Single Equality Act in Northern Ireland.

At present, there are 10 separate pieces of legislation governing equality. A Single Equality Act could help to clarify and strengthen these protections and ensure that they are effectively implemented and enforced across all areas of society.

After attending this event you will:

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the inequalities that persist in Northern Ireland due to outdated equality legislation.

Be exposed to a compelling case for change, particularly regarding the significant inequalities experienced by disabled individuals in Northern Ireland.

Be tuned into a thought-provoking discussion on the potential areas in which Northern Ireland can take a leadership role in advancing equality legislation, and even surpass our closest neighbours in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Who should attend?

This event is ideal for charities, campaigning groups, employment and discrimination solicitors and barristers, line managers, HR professionals and anyone with an interest in equality and diversity in NI.

Where and when?

5th June 2023 - online

Price?

Programme

Over the hour, we will dicuss the case for a Single Equality Act in Northern Ireland. At present, there are 10 separate pieces of legislation governing equality. A Single Equality Act could help to clarify and strengthen these protections and ensure that they are effectively implemented and enforced across all areas of society. And what about progress? It’s not just about consolidating existing legislation and resolving the issues in disability legislation thrown up by London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm. What other innovations, progress and ‘out of the box’ thinking could (or should) Northern Ireland consider?

Led by Legal Island Chairman, Barry Phillips our panel of experts, including:

Ciara Fulton, Partner, Lewis Silkin (NI) LLP
Roisin Mallon,Director Dedicated Mechanism, Equality Commission NI

They will explore the key areas in which NI has fallen behind as well as some thorny questions:

How do we balance separate, conflicting, but equally legitimate views in law? (Think J.K. Rowling’s transgender comments viz the need for safe spaces for women)

Does equality legislation REALLY benefit everyone – and, if it doesn’t, what should we do about it? How can we be inclusive if we exclude those who think they are losing out or who don’t like change?

What about Brexit? Is it a challenge, opportunity or both for equality in Northern Ireland?

Testimonials

Presenters

Barry Phillips Chairman

Legal Island

Barry Phillips (CEO) BEM founded Legal Island in 1998. Since then, the company has become the leading workplace compliance training company on the island of Ireland.

Barry curated and chaired the first-ever AI for HR online event in September 2023. Since then, he has organised numerous webinars and workshops for HR on AI topics. He also presents a weekly podcast summarising important developments in AI for those in HR.
Ciara Fulton Partner, Head of Office

Lewis Silkin LLP

Ciara Fulton is partner and Head of Lewis Silkin (NI) LLP.

Ciara is dual qualified and advises on all aspects of employment law in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. She has significant experience of advising clients on the full range of employment issues including complex discrimination issues, bullying and harassment claims, disciplinary and grievance matters, business reorganisations, senior executive severances, restrictive covenants, employment related litigation and TUPE.

Ciara’s approach is to partner with clients providing practical, commercial advice to resolve HR issues whether contentious or non-contentious. Ciara works with a variety of sectors with particular experience in the construction and infrastructure sector.

Ciara regularly speaks on a range of employment issues at internal and external events and delivers bespoke training to clients on the differences between NI and ROI employment law. Ciara is a member of the Employment Lawyers Group and the NI Representative for the Employment Lawyers Association. Ciara is also a legally qualified member of the Appeals Tribunals NI.

Towards a More Inclusive Future: The Case for a Single Equality Act in Northern Ireland