Foundation Course in Discrimination Law

Event Details

Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 July 2012

9.30am for 10am start to 5.30pm on both days 

CPD hours: 12

Speakers

Sue Ashtiany, Ashtiany Associates
Gareth Brahams, Stewarts Law
Paul Daniels; Russell Jones & Walker
Lisa Lewinsohn, Withers
Anne Pritam, Stephenson Harwood
Marian Bloodworth, Berwin Leighton Paisner
David Reade QC, Littleton Chambers

Discrimination law is a core area of employment law practice, and one which employment law practitioners must have a firm grasp of early in their careers. This course therefore aims to give assistants in their first two years of practice a detailed knowledge of each of the discrimination laws and a chance to work through problems specific to the different areas of the discrimination legislation.

All sessions will be conducted by highly respected employment law practitioners, who are drawn both from the solicitors' profession and the Bar and will speak from the perspectives of substantial experience of representing both employers and employees. The lecture sessions are designed to be interactive and will include practical problems and questions for delegates to work through in their groups. The workshops will give delegates the chance to work through case studies in particular areas and will be facilitated in small groups by experienced trainers.

Delegates will be given opportunities to advise both the employer and the employee during the workshop sessions. Delegates will receive a detailed course manual with speakers’ notes which have been centrally edited for consistency and ease of understanding.

Feedback from this course

• The practical parts were really helpful and the course has boosted my confidence.
• This course increased my practical and legal know-how immensely.  
• Having access to ask questions to practitioners is very helpful and will improve my legal practice and my clients will benefit greatly.  
• Very useful refresher and practical insight.
• The quality of the speakers, their talks and materials were excellent

Programme 

Day One – Tuesday 3 July

Co-Chairs: Susan Thomas, Charles Russell and Naeema Choudry, Eversheds.

Both Susan and Naeema are members of the ELA Training Committee.

9.30am
Registration and tea/coffee

10.00am
Introduction to the concepts of Discrimination
What is discrimination law and how does it work?
Sue Ashtiany, Ashtiany Associates 

Plenary session covering direct, indirect, victimisation and harassment in relation to the six-pack: race, gender, disability, sexuality, religion or belief and age. We will also flag up the main concepts of pay equality as well as looking at the difference between positive action, positive discrimination and positive duties in discrimination.

There will be a short refreshment break at around 11.00am

12 noon
Workshop Session – Harassment Claims

Workshop designed to give delegates an understanding of the basic issues in a harassment claim.

12.45pm
Lunch

1.30pm
Disability Discrimination: Key Concepts
Paul Daniels, Russell Jones & Walker 

Plenary session covering the key concepts, including direct and indirect disability discrimination, and reasonable adjustments and what they entail for employers and employees. 

2.30pm
Refreshment Break

2.45pm
Disability: Practical Issues 
Lisa Lewinsohn, Withers

3.30pm
Comfort Break

3.40pm
Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination
Anne Pritam, Stephenson Harwood

4.55pm
Workshop Session – Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination

5.30pm
Close of day one

Day Two – Wednesday 4 July

Co-Chairs: Anna West, Travers Smith and Eleena Misra, Littleton Chambers

Both Anna and Eleena are members of the ELA Training Committee.

9.30am
Registration and tea/coffee

10.00am
How Discrimination arises from Recruitment through to Termination
Marian Bloodworth, Berwin Leighton Paisner

Practical plenary session looking at the problems and pitfalls which commonly arise in the employment relationship, across all discrimination strands.

11.30am
Refreshment break

11.45am
Remdies for Discrimination
David Reade QC, Littleton Chambers

Plenary session examining the principles underlying different heads of loss and key practical issues including case preparation and evidence, schedules of loss, tactics for claimants and respondents, settlement and tax liabilities.

1.15pm
Lunch

2.00pm
Workshop Session – Remedies and Quantum
Workshop designed to provide a practical ‘how to’ guide to choice of remedy and award calculation through worked examples.

2.30pm
Procedure, Tactics and the Burden of Proof in Discrimination Cases
Gareth Brahams, Stewarts Law

Plenary session giving detailed consideration of the employment tribunal procedure as it applies to discrimination cases, including the questionnaire procedure, disclosure, the use of statistics and the application of the burden of proof. The session will also focus on practical approaches to conducting tribunal proceedings and tactical strategies that can be employed on either side of the fence.

3.30pm
Refreshment break

3.45pm
Procedure, Tactics and the Burden of Proof in Discrimination Cases (continued)

4.45pm
Workshop Session – Procedural Aspects

An exercise focusing on the practical application of the burden of proof and drawing inferences.

5.30pm
Close of course

Fees

There is a 15% early bird discount until 3 June 2012
Cost until 3 June 2012: £382.50 + VAT
Cost after 3 June 2012: £450 + VAT

This course is one of ELA’s series of annual courses for newly qualified employment lawyers: 
Introduction to Employment Law Course (run over 3 days in Birmingham)
Practical Employment Litigation Workshop (1 day in Birmingham)
Compromise Agreements (half day course in London)
TUPE: The Law and Practice (run over two days in London)