RJW Client Fawcett Society to Take Government to Court Over Unlawful Budget

LONDON, August 9, 2010 - RJW client The Fawcett Society has filed papers with the High Court in
order to get a Judicial Review of the government's recent emergency budget.

The Fawcett Society (
www.rjw.co.uk/latest-news/article/fawcett-society-to-take-government-to-court-over-unlawful-budget/)
believes that the government should have used
an equality impact assessment to determine whether its budget proposals would
increase or reduce inequality between women and men. Despite repeated
requests from the society, the Treasury has not provided any evidence that
any such an equality impact assessment took place.

A top line assessment of the budget measures show 72% of cuts will be met
from women's income with the remaining 28% from men's, due to many of the
cuts being to benefits that more women than men rely on. Additionally the
changes to the tax system will benefit far more men than women.

Since 2006 the government has been bound by a gender equality duty
(www.rjw.co.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/documentation/What_is_the_legal_framework_of_the__Gender_Equality_Duty_.pdf)
which obligates it to actively promote equality between the sexes.

Samantha Mangwana, employment solicitor at Russell Jones & Walker who is
representing the Fawcett Society, said: "Although public authorities have
been subject to the gender equality duty for several years now, there is
widespread ignorance not only about how strong these laws actually are, but
also what specific steps are required to be undertaken. However, the case law
is crystal clear in spelling this out. Firstly, an equality impact assessment
must be conducted before policy decisions are taken.

"Secondly, where an assessment reveals a risk of sex discrimination
(www.rjw.co.uk/legal-services/employment/discrimination-at-work/sex-discrimination-at-work/),
urgent action must be taken to address those risks. Clearly, if the equality
impact is not even assessed as a starting point, a public authority cannot
start to consider what steps to take to mitigate any inequality."

About Russell Jones & Walker

Russell Jones & Walker is a leading national firm of solicitors dedicated
to upholding the legal rights of individuals. From the firm's foundation in
the 1920s the focus has and continues to be, people and those who represent
them.

The firm has grown from its trade union roots into a respected national
organisation with nine offices across England and Wales, and an associated
office in Scotland. The reputation of Russell Jones & Walker is built on the
range of expertise offered by its partners and staff and on the scope of
their practical experience.

RJW Solicitors represents clients across a range of areas with many
employment solicitors, personal injury solicitors, business crime solicitors
and specialities in commercial and criminal litigation, defamation,
reputation management, clinical negligence and discrimination at work
(www.rjw.co.uk/legal-services/employment/discrimination-at-work/sex-di
scrimination-at-work/) as well as providing specialties in fraud.

    For further information contact:

    Samantha Mangwana
    Russell Jones & Walker
    50-52 Chancery Lane
    London
    WC2A 1HL
    +44(0)207-657-1526
    www.rjw.co.uk

For further information contact: Samantha Mangwana, Russell Jones & Walker, 50-52 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1HL, +44(0)207-657-1526