The Sex Discrimination Order 1976 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Sex Discrimination Order 1976 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 and shall come into operation on 2nd May 2016.

(2) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(1) shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

Amendment of the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976

2.  The Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976(2) (“the 1976 Order”) is amended in accordance with regulations 3 to 20.

Amendment of Article 2 of the 1976 Order

3.  In Article 2 (interpretation)—

(a) in paragraph (2)(3), omit the definition of “provision, criterion or practice”;

(b) in paragraph (7)(b)(4), after “3,” insert “3A”.

Amendment of Article 3 of the 1976 Order

4.—(1) For Article 3(5) (direct and indirect discrimination against women), substitute the following—

“Direct discrimination on the ground of sex

3.   In any circumstances relevant for the purposes of any provision of this Order, a person (“A”) discriminates against another (“B”) if, on the ground of sex, A treats B less favourably than A treats or would treat another person.”.

(2) After Article 3, insert the following—

“Indirect discrimination on the ground of sex

3A.— (1) In any circumstances relevant for the purposes of any provision of this Order, a person (“A”) discriminates against another person (“B”) if A applies to B a provision, criterion or practice which is discriminatory in relation to B’s sex.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a provision, criterion or practice is discriminatory in relation to B’s sex, if –

(a) A applies, or would apply, it to persons of a different sex,

(b) it puts, or would put, persons of the same sex as B at a particular disadvantage when compared with persons of a different sex,

(c) it puts, or would put, B at that disadvantage, and

(d) A cannot show it to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.”.

Amendment of Article 4 of the 1976 Order

5.  In Article 4 (sex discrimination against men)—

(a) in paragraph (1), omit “Article 3 and”;

(b) in paragraph (2), after “paragraph (1)” insert “and Articles 3 and 3A,”.

Amendment of Article 4A of the 1976 Order

6.—(1) Article 4A(6) (discrimination on the grounds of gender reassignment) is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading, for “Discrimination” substitute “Direct discrimination”.

(3) In paragraph (1)(b), for the word “he” in each place, substitute “A”.

(4) In paragraph (3)—

(a) for the word “he” in each place, substitute “B”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “him” substitute “B”.

Insertion of Article 4B into the 1976 Order

7.  After Article 4A (discrimination on the ground of gender reassignment), insert the following—

“Indirect discrimination on the ground of gender reassignment

4B.— (1) A person (“A”) discriminates against another person (“B”) in any circumstances relevant for the purposes of —

(a) any provision of Part 3; or

(b) any provision of Part 4, so far as it applies to vocational training,

if A applies to B a provision, criterion or practice which is discriminatory in relation to B’s gender reassignment.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a provision, criterion or practice is discriminatory in relation to B’s gender reassignment if—

(a) A applies, or would apply, it to persons who do not intend to undergo, are not undergoing or have not undergone gender reassignment;

(b) it puts, or would put, persons who intend to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment at a particular disadvantage when compared with persons who do not intend to undergo, are not undergoing or have not undergone gender reassignment;

(c) it puts, or would put, B at that disadvantage; and

(d) A cannot show it to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.”.

Amendment of Article 7 of the 1976 Order

8.  In Article 7(7) (basis of comparison)—

(a) before paragraph (a), insert—

“(aa) a comparison of the cases of persons required for the purposes of Article 3,”.

(b) in paragraph (a), for “Article 3(1) or (2)” substitute “Article 3A”;

(c) in paragraph (b), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”.

Amendment of Article 8 of the 1976 Order

9.  In Article 8(8)(8) (applicants and employees), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”.

Amendment of Article 10A of the 1976 Order

10.  In Article 10A(1)(9) (corresponding exception relating to gender reassignment), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”.

Amendment of Article 10B of the 1976 Order

11.  In Article 10B(1)(10) (supplementary exceptions relating to gender reassignment), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”.

Amendment of Article 11 of the 1976 Order

12.  In Article 11(7)(11) (Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”.

Amendment of Article 12 of the 1976 Order

13.  In Article 12(12) (contract workers)—

(a) in paragraph (3A), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”;

(b) in paragraph (3B), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”;

(c) in paragraph (3C), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”.

Amendment of Article 14 of the 1976 Order

14.  In Article 14(13) (partnerships)—

(a) in paragraph (3A), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”;

(b) in paragraph (3B), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”;

(c) in paragraph (3C), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”.

Amendment of Article 35 of the 1976 Order

15.  In Article 35(5)(14) (exception for voluntary bodies), for “Article 3 or 4A” substitute “Article 3, 3A or 4A”.

Amendment of Article 38 of the 1976 Order

16.  In Article 38(1)(15) (discriminatory practices)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (a)—

(i) omit the word “(a)”;

(ii) for “3(2)(b)” substitute “3A”;

(iii) omit the word “,or” (at the end of sub-paragraph (a));

(b) omit sub-paragraph (b).

Amendment of Article 44 of the 1976 Order

17.  In Article 44(2A)(16) (charities), for “Article 3 or 4A” substitute “Article 3, 3A or 4A”.

Amendment of Article 47 of the 1976 Order

18.  In Article 47(4)(c)(17) (communal accommodation), for “Article 4A” substitute “Article 4A or 4B”.

Amendment of Article 65 of the 1976 Order

19.  In Article 65(1B)(18) (remedies on complaint under Article 63), for “Article 3(2)(b)” substitute “Article 3A”

Amendment of Article 66 of the 1976 Order

20.  In Article 66 (claims under Part IV)—

(a) omit paragraph (3)(19);

(b) omit paragraph (3A)(20).

Amendment of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990

21.  In Article 3(3) of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990(21)—

(a) for “Article 3(2)(b)(i)”, substitute “Article 3A(2)(b)”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (a), for “justifiable as mentioned in Article 3(2)(b)(ii) or 5(1)(b)(ii)” substitute “proportionate as mentioned in Article 3A(2)(d) or 5(1)(b)(iii)”;

(c) in sub-paragraph (b), for “Article 3(2)(b)(ii) or 5(1)(b)(ii)” substitute “Article 3A(2)(d) or 5(1)(b)(iii)”.

Transitional provision

22.  The amendments to Article 66(3) and (3A) of the 1976 Order made by regulation 20 do not apply to any proceedings which were commenced but not disposed of before 2nd May 2016.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on 22nd March 2016.

Margaret Rose McNaughton

A senior officer of the

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister