UK: Government to keep EU equality laws

The U.K. government has published draft regulations amending the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that discrimination protections derived from EU law are preserved after Brexit.

Why it matters: The amendments are important to maintain existing rights based on EU law and improve clarity.

The big picture: The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act ends the supremacy of EU law and gives extended powers to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Yes, but: Some of the changes appear to introduce new law as they involve ECJ decisions not previously applied in the UK.

What's next: The amendments will allow the law to continue as before and provide clarity. However, some of the changes look like new law in practice, because they involve ECJ decisions that had not actually been applied by the UK appeal courts.

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Read the full Lewis Silken LLP briefings by Carolyn Soakell and Charlotte Morgan here: 

https://www.lewissilkin.com/en/insights/government-legislates-to-preserve-eubased-discrimination-law--what-does-this-mean-for-employers 

https://www.lewissilkin.com/en/insights/retained-eu-law-bill-becomes-law-practical-impact-employers