Ratio Decidendi
In an indirect discrimination claim, the claimant does not need to prove why a provision, criterion, or practice (PCP) puts persons sharing a protected characteristic at a particular disadvantage — only that it does so.
Facts
BME and older candidates for promotion in the Home Office had statistically lower pass rates on a core skills assessment. Claimants argued this constituted indirect discrimination.
Judgment Summary
The Supreme Court held that indirect discrimination does not require the claimant to explain the reason for the disadvantage. It is enough to show that a PCP puts persons sharing a protected characteristic at a particular disadvantage compared with others.
Key Quotes
"There is no requirement in indirect discrimination to explain why a PCP puts one group at a disadvantage compared with others."
— Baroness Hale
Subsequent Treatment
Leading authority on the elements of indirect discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.