Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, paragraph 1

General

SCHEDULE 9 Work: exceptions

1 (1) A person (A) does not contravene a provision mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) by applying in relation to work a requirement to have a particular protected characteristic, if A shows that, having regard to the nature or context of the work—

(a) it is an occupational requirement,

(b) the application of the requirement is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, and

(c) the person to whom A applies the requirement does not meet it (or A has reasonable grounds for not being satisfied that the person meets it).

(2) The provisions are—

(a) section 39(1)(a) or (c) or (2)(b) or (c);

(b) section 41(1)(b);

(c) section 44(1)(a) or (c) or (2)(b) or (c);

(d) section 45(1)(a) or (c) or (2)(b) or (c);

(e) section 49(3)(a) or (c) or (6)(b) or (c);

(f) section 50(3)(a) or (c) or (6)(b) or (c);

(g) section 51(1);

[F314 (h) section 60A(1).F314]

(3) The references in sub-paragraph (1) to a requirement to have a protected characteristic are to be read—

(a) in the case of gender reassignment, as references to a requirement not to be a transsexual person (and section 7(3) is accordingly to be ignored);

(b) in the case of marriage and civil partnership, as references to a requirement not to be married or a civil partner (and section 8(2) is accordingly to be ignored).

(4) In the case of a requirement to be of a particular sex, sub-paragraph (1) has effect as if in paragraph (c), the words from “(or” to the end were omitted.

Cases considering Schedule 9, paragraph 1 4

United Grand Lodge of England R (on the application of) & Ors v The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis

[2026] EWHC 330 (Admin) · 17 February 2026

The court held that any direct discrimination could be justified as an occupational requirement if the disclosure requirement was a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. (see para [59])

VRP, R (on the application of) v The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames

[2025] EWHC 504 (Admin) · 7 March 2025

Paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 permits an occupational requirement involving a protected characteristic where it is proportionate to a legitimate aim and the worker does not meet it. It was noted as relevant to carers, but did not determine the claim. (see paras [87]-[88])

Lorenzo Ramos v Nottinghamshire Women's Aid Limited & Anor

[2024] EAT 67 · 30 April 2024Limits

The EAT held that the asserted occupational-requirement issue required careful consideration on full evidence. It did not determine that issue because the deposit order was independently justified by the claimant’s little prospect of establishing genuine interest in the role. (see paras [20]-[21])

What each judgment says about Schedule 9, paragraph 1 is in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

1 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F314Sch. 9 para. 1(2)(h) inserted (1.1.2024) by The Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1425), regs. 1(2), 4(6)(a)