What we do
A guide to what the Equality and Human Rights Commission does, and how it does it.
On this page
Enforcing the law
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has extensive legal powers and a dedicated directorate of expert lawyers who are specialists in equality law. This means that the commission is well equipped to take legal action on behalf of individuals, especially where there are strategic opportunities to push the boundaries of the law. Where there are chances to create legal precedents or to clarify and improve the law, the commission will seek to do so.
We won't be able to give direct legal assistance to everyone, but to those whose cases we are unable to take, the commission can offer advice through our helpline and online resources.
The commission also contributes funds to external organisations that can provide legal help and advice.
The commission has significant powers to enforce the equalities duties of organisations and authorities, including, ultimately, launching official inquiries and formal investigations.
Unless there is an equality dimension to the case, the commission doesn't have the power to give legal assistance to individuals on human rights grounds. However, we do have the power to hold formal inquiries or to take judicial review proceedings to prevent breaches of the Human Rights Act.
The commission can also join in with proceedings taken by others, intervening to promote human rights.
You can read lots more about the law in our know your rights section, and we also have a dedicated section for lawyers and advisers.
Back to top^
Influencing the development of the law and government policy
The Equality and Human Rights Commission will work with the government as it moves towards single equality legislation. The commission will seek to help government to create effective legislation that protects people’s rights and helps to bring about a Britain confident in its diversity.
The government has committed to promoting a fair and equal society, where everyone has the opportunity to prosper and reach their full potential. The commission will monitor the performance of the government in relation to these commitments.
The commission will also seek to influence the development and amending of all government policy, making sure that policy takes into consideration the importance of equality, diversity and human rights.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission will ensure that equality is given priority, not only in policy but in plans and departmental strategies across government.
The commission will also define understanding with public service inspectorates to make sure that equality is effectively promoted.
Back to top^
Promoting good practice
The Equality and Human Rights Commission works with organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to reduce discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all employees, customers and the users of services.
The commission provides help and advice on equal opportunities policy and practice to many organisations and companies, large and small; and liaises with government departments and representative organisations from all sectors.
Almost all public authorities in England, Wales and Scotland are bound by statutory duties to promote race and sex equality and eliminate discrimination. These duties take good practice a step further, providing a legal obligation to comply. The commission provides information about these duties and guidance on the best ways to meet these requirements.
The commission works to define, promote and publish best practice, in order to create a more fair and equitable society. We have guides on best practice to download, as well as statutory codes of practice.
Back to top^
Campaigns, events and communications
The commission’s ambitious, accessible and challenging media and new media campaigns take particular issues and highlight them in imaginative ways that spark debate and encourage people to think about the kind of Britain they want to live in.
Educating and enthusing the public, the commission will expand the scope of knowledge and understanding of equality and human rights. By using original ideas, exciting events and new forms of communication, we will bring discussion about equality in from the margins to the mainstream.
Through its campaigns, the commission seeks to become a recognisable, influential and inspiring voice in the public sphere.
Back to top^
Fostering better relations
Public authorities in England, Scotland and Wales are required to promote good race relations. The former CRE produced an online guide to promoting good race relations, which you can find by going to our legacy commissions website archive page and entering the CRE website archive (you will need to complete a brief log in beforehand). The commission will help these authorities to take practical steps to fulfilling these duties, and will monitor their performance, taking action where necessary.
Good relations between all people are something which we must work at constantly, ensuring that the conditions for social division and rupture are not allowed to ferment. The Equality and Human Rights Commission uses a well developed network of local sources to monitor social tensions between groups, and work to minimise these.
We also use our campaigning, lobbying and publications to work towards a more integrated society, where people not only live peacefully together, but socialise with each other, confident with each other’s differences.
Back to top^
Developing understanding and evidence
Commissioning, assessing and publishing research, the commission will seek to become a respected source of evidence-based knowledge about the state of equality and human rights in Britain.
The commission also has a responsibility to produce ‘state of the nation’ reports every three years, and to present these to parliament. These will assess equality and inequality in Britain, and how much progress has been made.
Back to top^
Our services
ACAS partnership
In partnership with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), the Equality and Human Rights Commission will help employers to gain hands-on, practical experience of equality good practice.
Disability conciliation service
The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s disability conciliation service offers an effective alternative route to court action, when a breach of the Disability Discrimination Act may have occurred.
Disability conciliation uses a rights-based approach that ensures settlements are quick and effective. The focus is on changes to practices, policies and procedures. It can lead to lasting change for disabled people and not just compensatory payments.
The service is free, confidential and accessible, enabling disabled people to exercise their rights in relation to goods and services and post-16 education.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline identifies appropriate cases for conciliation and refers them to an internal conciliation management unit. The conciliation management unit assesses the viability of cases and encourages disabled people and service and education providers to agree to conciliation.
Section 44 providers – grants
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has responsibility for section 44 of the Race Relations Act, which sets out guidelines for giving financial assistance to other organisations. We support innovative projects which lead to real results and which make a difference to racial equality and race relations locally.
Helpline
For details on our helpline, see the Contact us page.
Back to top^