Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Discrimination definition

What does Discrimination mean? Discrimination in legal practice describes unfavourable treatment, particular disadvantage, harassment or victimisation because of a protected characteristic, across employment and the provision of services, housing, education and public functions. The concept is defined primarily by legislation and developed through case law. In England & Wales and Scotland, the Equality Act 2010 prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation, discrimination arising from disability, and failure to make reasonable adjustments. Protected characteristics are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. In Northern Ireland,...

Employee miscarriage before 24 weeks: Equality Act 2010 pregnancy/maternity discrimination protection and protected period length

Read full title

Published by a LexisNexis Employment expert

Q&As

Is the employee protected from pregnancy and maternity Discrimination?

Under section 18 of the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010), discrimination occurs where, during the protected period linked to a woman’s pregnancy, she is treated unfavourably:

because she is pregnant, or
because of illness she experiences as a result of that pregnancy

The protected period starts when the woman’s pregnancy begins. Its conclusion depends on whether she is entitled to ordinary and additional Maternity leave:

if she has the right to ordinary and additional maternity leave, it ends at the close of the additional maternity leave period, or on her return to work after the pregnancy, if earlier
if she does not have that entitlement, it ends two weeks after the pregnancy ends

Although “end of the pregnancy” is not defined, a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy would appear to fall within the ordinary meaning of that phrase...

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 27/05/2026

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 ]...