EOC launches legal advice Web site

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has launched a Web site to give legal advice to people who, in turn, advise unfair dismissal claimants.

The site is funded by the Legal Services Commission in partnership with the EOC.

It is designed to help people such as solicitors, union representatives or Citizen's Advice Bureau workers who act as advisers to people involved in sex discrimination or equal pay proceedings against their former employers.

The first area of the site to go live deals with sexual harassment law.

It offers background information on relevant legislation and precedents, along with useful definitions, a step-by-step guide to launching a claim and general advice on conducting litigation on behalf of clients.

Sections on maternity and parental law, family friendly hours, equal pay and recruitment will be added over the next year.

EOC deputy chairwoman Jenny Watson said that at present, only 26% of employment tribunal claimants have legal representation during their claim, and the EOC was committed to equipping more advisers to take on the cases.

Rhodri McDonald, principal legal officer at the EOC, added: 'We do not have the resources here to provide individual advice for all the people who contact us about sex discrimination and equal pay cases, so this Web site is a way for us to transfer our expertise to local advice-givers across the country.'

Mr McDonald stressed that the site was intended to be a practical rather than technical legal guide.

LINKS: www.eoc-law.org.uk

Victoria MacCallum