Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (repealed)
1975 c. 65
An Act to render unlawful certain kinds of sex discrimination and discrimination on the ground of marriage, and establish a Commission with the function of working towards the elimination of such discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity between men and women generally; and for related purposes.
Part I

Discrimination to Which Act Applies

Direct and indirect discrimination against women
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sex discrimination against men.
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Discrimination on the grounds of gender reassignment.”
2A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discrimination against married persons and civil partners in employment field
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discrimination on the ground of pregnancy or maternity leave
3A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discrimination on the ground of pregnancy or maternity: goods, facilities, services or premises
3B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discrimination by way of victimisation.
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Harassment, including sexual harassment
4A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interpretation.
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part II

EMPLOYMENT FIELD

Discrimination by employers

. . . applicants and employees.
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exception relating to terms and conditions during maternity leave
6A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exception where sex is a genuine occupational qualification.
7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Corresponding exception relating to gender reassignment.”
7A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Supplementary exceptions relating to gender reassignment.”
7B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Equal Pay Act 1970.
8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . contract workers.
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meaning of employment at establishment in Great Britain.
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discrimination against office-holders etc.

Offices and posts to which section 10B applies
10A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Office-holders
10B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discrimination by other bodies

Partnerships.
11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trade unions etc.
12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Qualifying bodies.
13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Persons concerned with provision of vocational training.
14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Employment agencies.
15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Manpower Services Commission etc.
16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Special case

Police.
17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Prison officers.
18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ministers of religion etc.
19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Midwives.
20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationships which have come to an end

Relationships which have come to an end
20A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mineworkers.
21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Public authorities
21A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part III

Discrimination in Other Fields

Education

. . . Bodies in charge of educational establishments.
22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meaning of pupil in section 22.
22A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other discrimination by local education authorities.
23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discrimination by further and higher education funding bodies
23A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discrimination by Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils.
23B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discrimination by Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council
23BA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23C

Discrimination by Training and Development Agency for Schools.
23D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Designated establishments.
24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General duty in public sector of education.
25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General duty: post-16 education and training etc.
25A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exception for single-sex establishments.
26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exception for single-sex establishments turning co-educational.
27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exception for physical training.
28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Goods, facilities, services and premises

Discrimination in provision of goods, facilities or services.
29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discrimination in disposal or management of premises.
30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discrimination: consent for assignment or sub-letting.
31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exception for small dwellings.
32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exception for political parties.
33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exception for voluntary bodies.
34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Further exceptions from ss. 29(1) and 30.
35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Excluded matters
35ZA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Barristers

. . . Barristers.
35A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Advocates

. . . Advocates.
35B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Relationships which have come to an end

Relationships which have come to an end
35C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extent

Extent of Part III.
36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part IV

Other Unlawful Acts

Discriminatory practices.
37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discriminatory advertisements.
38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Instructions to discriminate.
39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pressure to discriminate.
40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Liability of employers and principals.
41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Aiding unlawful acts.
42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part V

General Exceptions from Parts II to IV

Selection of candidates
42A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Charities.
43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sport et ceteralaetc.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Insurance etc.
45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Communal accommodation.
46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Discriminatory training by certain bodies.
47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other discriminatory training etc.
48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trade unions etc.: elective bodies.
49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Indirect access to benefits etc.
50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acts done for purposes of protection of women.
51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acts done under statutory authority to be exempt from certain provisions of Part III.
51A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acts safeguarding national security.
52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Construction of references to vocational training.
52A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part VI
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Establishment and duties of Commission.
53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Research and education.
54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Review of discriminatory provisions in health and safety legislation.
55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Codes of practice

Codes of practice.
56A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Investigations

Power to conduct formal investigations.
57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Terms of reference.
58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power to obtain information.
59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Recommendations and reports on formal investigations.
60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Restriction on disclosure of information.
61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part VII

Enforcement

General

Restriction of proceedings for breach of Act.
62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Enforcement in employment field

Jurisdiction of employment tribunals.
63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Burden of proof: employment tribunals
63A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Remedies on complaint under section 63.
65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Enforcement of Part III

Claims under Part III.
66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Burden of proof: county and sheriff courts
66A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

National security
66B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Non-discrimination notices

Issue of non-discrimination notice.
67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Appeal against non-discrimination notice.
68. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Investigation as to compliance with non-discrimination notice.
69. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Register of non-discrimination notices.
70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other enforcement by Commission

Persistent discrimination.
71. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Enforcement of ss. 38 to 40.
72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Preliminary action in employment cases.
73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Help for persons suffering discrimination

Help for aggrieved persons in obtaining information etc.
74. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Assistance by Commission.
75. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Period within which proceedings to be brought

Period within which proceedings to be brought.
76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part VIII

Supplemental

Public authorities: general statutory duty
76A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Specific duties
76B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Specific duties: Scotland
76C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Specific duties: enforcement
76D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Codes of practice
76E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Validity and revision of contracts.
77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Educational charities in England and Wales.
78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Educational endowments etc. to which Part VI of the Education (Scotland) Act 1962 applies.
79. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power to amend certain provisions of Act.
80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Orders.
81. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General interpretation provisions.
82. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transitional and commencement provisions, amendments and repeals.
83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Financial provisions.
84. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application to Crown.
85. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application to House of Commons staff.
85A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application to House of Lords staff.
85B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Government appointments outside section 6.
86. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Short title and extent.
87. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1

EQUAL PAY ACT 1970
Section 8.
PART I

AMENDMENTS OF ACT
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART II

ACT AS AMENDED

1970 CHAPTER 41
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Disputes as to, and enforcement of, requirement of equal treatment.
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Collective agreements and pay structures.
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wages regulation orders.
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Agricultural wages orders.
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exclusion from ss. 1 to 5 of pensions etc.
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Service pay.
7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Commencement.
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Preliminary references to Industrial Arbitration Board.
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Short title, interpretation and extent.
11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCHEDULE 2

Transitional Exemption Orders for Educational Admissions
Section 27.

Public sector (England and Wales)
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Private sector (England and Wales)
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Public and private sectors (Scotland)
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCHEDULE 3

Incorporation and status
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tenure of office of Commissioners
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tenure of office of chairman and deputy chairmen
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Remuneration of Commissioners
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Additional Commissioners
7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Staff
8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Proceedings and business
11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Finance
14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Disqualification Acts
16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCHEDULE 4

Transitional Provisions
Section 83.
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCHEDULE 5

MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS
Section 83.

Factories Act 1961 (c. 34)
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCHEDULE 6

FURTHER REPEALS
Section 83.

Other discrimination by local education authorities.
23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General duty in public sector of education.
25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Act repealed (1.10.2010 except for the repeal of ss. 76A-76C and s. 81 so far as it relates to those provisions, 5.4.2011 in so far as not already in force) by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), s. 216(3), Sch. 27 Pt. 1 (with ss. 6(4), 205); S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2(15)(f)(i) (as amended (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2337, art. 2); S.I. 2011/1066, art. 2(h) (with savings in S.I. 2010/2279, art. 14(6) and S.I. 2010/2317, arts. 1(2), 10(8)(a))