Equal pay claims at ‘epidemic’ levels

Published on 07/12/2012 00:33

Equal pay litigation has reached “almost epidemic proportions” and claims relating to indirect discrimination pose special problems for lawyers, a leading judge has said.

Appeal court judge Lord Justice Mummery said more than 30 years of litigation had not eradicated unjustified pay discrimination.

He was speaking after the Court of Appeal had analysed an equal pay claim by nine women who worked for the Audit Commission.

“Over 30 years of litigation have not eradicated unjustified pay discrimination against both women and men. Unfairness in pay levels persists…” Lord Justice Mummery said.

“Equal pay litigation in the Employment Tribunals has now reached almost epidemic proportions.”