Essay question 1:
“The aspects of the Equality Act 2010 which promote ‘formal equality’ are much stronger than those which promote ‘substantive equality’.”
Critically evaluate this statement with reference to relevant law.
Essay question 2:
The definition of ‘disability’ under Section 6 of the Equality Act, 2010, has been criticised for being ‘too narrow, and for adopting a medical as opposed to a social model for disability’ (I. Smith and A Baker, Smith and Wood’s: Employment Law 12 the ed., (OUP, 2015) 412).
Critically analyse the definition of ‘disability’ under the Equality Act, 2010 as compared to the interpretation of ‘disability’ adopted by the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Essay question 3:
‘Courts and tribunals have struggled with the test of justification, particularly for direct discrimination on grounds of age and for indirect discrimination on grounds of religious belief.’
Critically assess how the judiciary has applied the justification test in these two situations and whether these judicial approaches have resulted in effective legal protection against age and religion discrimination.
Essay question 4:
‘The family-friendly reform of employment law undertaken by successive governments since 1997 has failed to provide working fathers with meaningful rights and to change gender stereotypes regarding the reconciliation of work and family life
Critically discuss.
