Claimant v British Broadcasting Corporation
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal found at a preliminary hearing that the claimant was not a disabled person as defined by section 6 Equality Act 2010 because of Autism Spectrum Disorder at the relevant times. This means the disability discrimination claim cannot succeed as the jurisdictional requirement of being a disabled person was not met.
Facts
The claimant AB brought disability discrimination claims against the BBC based on Autism Spectrum Disorder. A preliminary hearing was held to determine whether the claimant met the legal definition of disability under section 6 of the Equality Act 2010. Both parties were represented by counsel at the remote hearing.
Decision
The tribunal determined that at the relevant times, the claimant was not a disabled person as defined by section 6 Equality Act 2010 because of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This preliminary finding would prevent any disability discrimination claims from proceeding.
Practical note
A claimant must meet the statutory definition of disability under section 6 Equality Act 2010 before disability discrimination claims can succeed, and this threshold question can be determined at a preliminary hearing.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 6009384/2024
- Decision date
- 9 June 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 1
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- media
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister