Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Sex discrimination definition

What does Sex discrimination mean? Sex discrimination describes unlawful less favourable treatment, or unjustified disadvantage caused by a neutral rule, because a person is male or female. In practice it arises in employment (recruitment, terms, promotion, dismissal), vocational training, professional membership, education, housing, public functions and access to goods and services. The concept is defined in legislation: in England & Wales and Scotland by the Equality Act 2010; in Northern Ireland by the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 and the Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970; and in Ireland by the Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015 and the Equal Status Acts 2000–2018. Usage is broadly consistent...

Sex discrimination in the workplace: Equality Act 2010 overview of prohibited conduct, harassment (including 2024 duty), victimisation, protections, liability, defences, exceptions, territorial scope and remedies (Great Britain)

Published by a LexisNexis Employment expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note provides a high-level, low-detail overview of all our materials addressing protections and Liabilities stemming from acts and omissions that amount to Sex discrimination, or other forms of prohibited conduct associated with sex. The content here is intentionally light on detail; its principal function is to direct Subscribers onwards to the fully developed materials housed in the numerous further Practice Notes that examine each aspect of the subject in depth. Consequently, this Practice Note should be treated purely as a starting point for research, since full information is available only elsewhere, in the locations linked below.

The characteristics protected

The Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010) safeguards against Discrimination and other prohibited conduct connected to certain specified characteristics that individuals may possess. Some safeguards apply solely to a single characteristic. Others apply equally to all such characteristics, which are collectively termed ‘the protected characteristics’. ‘Sex’ is one of these protected characteristics, the others being:

age
disability
gender reassignment
marriage and civil partnership
pregnancy and maternity
race...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...