Explanatory note

These Regulations, which amend the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (“the Order”), come into operation on 28th April 2004.

Regulations 2 and 3 insert two new Articles into the Order. New Article 22A prohibits discrimination after the end of a relationship which is governed by Part III of the Order (for example, employment or partnership) if the act of discrimination arises out of and is closely connected to the relationship. New Article 36A makes an equivalent provision in relation to relationships which are governed by other provisions of Part IV of the Order which apply to vocational training. These Regulations make clear that such acts of discrimination are unlawful under the Order, reflecting the decision of the European Court of Justice in Coote v Granada Hospitality Ltd (Case C-185/97, judgment of 22nd September 1998) on the interpretation of the Equal Treatment Directive.