Section 51 — Public offices: recommendations for appointments, etc.
Extent: E+W+S
This version in force from 2013-10-01
Snapshot: 2026-08-24
Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .
(1) A person (A) who has the power to make a recommendation for or give approval to an appointment to a public office within section 50(2)(a) [F1 , (b) or (d)], must not discriminate against a person (B)—
(a) in the arrangements A makes for deciding who to recommend for appointment or to whose appointment to give approval;
(b) by not recommending B for appointment to the office;
(c) by making a negative recommendation of B for appointment to the office;
(d) by not giving approval to the appointment of B to the office.
(2) A person who has the power to make a recommendation for or give approval to an appointment to a public office within section 50(2)(a) [F1 , (b) or (d)] must not, in relation to the office, harass a person seeking or being considered for the recommendation or approval.
(3) A person (A) who has the power to make a recommendation for or give approval to an appointment to a public office within section 50(2)(a) [F1 , (b) or (d)], must not victimise a person (B)—
(a) in the arrangements A makes for deciding who to recommend for appointment or to whose appointment to give approval;
(b) by not recommending B for appointment to the office;
(c) by making a negative recommendation of B for appointment to the office;
(d) by not giving approval to the appointment of B to the office.
(4) A duty to make reasonable adjustments applies to a person who has the power to make a recommendation for or give approval to an appointment to a public office within section 50(2)(a) [F1 , (b) or (d)].
(5) A reference in this section to a person who has the power to make a recommendation for or give approval to an appointment to a public office within section 50(2)(a) [F2 or (d)] is a reference only to a relevant body which has that power; and for that purpose “relevant body” means a body established—
(a) by or in pursuance of an enactment, or
(b) by a member of the executive.
Amendment notes
- F1 Words in s. 51(1)-(4) substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 51(2); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)
- F2 Words in s. 51(5) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 51(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)