Is Caste Already Part of UK Equality Law?

Abstract

Chapter 6 turns to a recent case, Chandhok v Tirkey (2014), in which the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decided that caste may already be part of UK equality law. It discusses the background to the case, the way in which the case was argued and decided by the EAT, and draws out possible implications. The discussion includes an examination of the stance of parties during this litigation and the potential contradictions given that the Equality Act provision on caste has not yet been implemented. The case creates difficulties given that it is now unclear what the reach of the existing law is and a question remains whether the Equality Act’s provision on caste should be brought into force. The account draws on documents revealed by the intervening party, the EHRC.