Advising the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Brodies is unique in Scotland in having two of its solicitor advocates – Christine O’Neill and Niall McLean appointed to The Equality and Human Rights Commission panels of counsel in Scotland.

Niall was appointed for the first time in 2019 to the Commission’s “B” Panel and, having been first appointed to the 'B' Panel in 2015, Christine was reappointed to the Commission’s “A” Panel in 2019. The Commission draws on its Panels when it needs representation in courts and tribunals.

Key highlights

•  Acting for the Commission when it intervenes in court actions.
• Providing training in areas of law relevant to the Commission's functions.

Christine agreed to take on one of our interventions at very short notice and at a late stage in proceedings. She quickly got to grips with the issues and identified a focused approach. Her oral advocacy was clear and effective Lynn Welsh, Head of Legal, EHRC Scotland

Outcome

Christine represented the Commission in 2019 in two appeals before the Inner House of the Court of Session – one challenging the Home Secretary’s decision to reduce financial support to asylum seekers and another concerning enforcement of compensation orders made by employment tribunals.

In each case the Commission was an intervener – given permission by the Court to add to the arguments being made by the parties themselves and focusing on the human rights and equalities aspects of the cases that are particularly relevant to the Commission's role and functions.

Niall McLean provided a full day training session to the Commission on transport law, with a particular focus on the equalities law issues that arise in relation to public transport services.