About us

This page provides information about who we are, what we do, our aims and our incorporation documents.

The DLA is a non-profit network that brings together a broad range of discrimination law practitioners, policy experts, academics, and concerned individuals and organisations, all united around a commitment to strengthening anti-discrimination law, practice, advice and education in the UK.

According to members, the DLA is special because of its:

“Wide range of people and groups that are represented…”
“Focus on discrimination law from the point of view of complainants…”
“Practical advice and application of law in practice…”

Who we are

We now have some 350 members and reach hundreds more people through the organisations that are our members, as well as through allied networks, groups and institutions.

Membership is open to any individual or any organisation interested in discrimination law who is in general agreement with the Association's aims. In addition to practicing solicitors and barristers, we also have individual members who are advice workers, academic lawyers, law students, equalities officers, human resources advisors and trainers. Our associate members include solicitors' firms, barristers' chambers, trades unions, public authorities, equality commissions, law centres, CABx & race equality councils, and voluntary sector organisations/NGOs.

Our President is Sir Geoffrey Bindman, and the current Chair is Ulele Burnham, a discrimination barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. We have a 14-member Executive Committee, annually elected by members.

What we do

Please note that the Discrimination Law Association is not an advice service and we cannot provide advice to the public.

Since it was formally set up in 1995, the DLA has established a reputation for its knowledge, expertise and understanding of discrimination law issues. We help shape policy and influence positive change through our submissions to consultations and pro-actively raising issues of concern. Participation from members ensures that our contributions to policy and public debates are grounded in and informed by the experiences of those affected by discrimination cases and issues on a daily basis.

Practitioner Group Meetings provide a unique opportunity for members to discuss discrimination law matters in an informal setting with diverse experts and practitioners. They are of particular interest to those advising and representing complainants. The DLA is registered with the Bar Standards Board and the Law Society as a provider of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) for members of the legal profession .

The DLA journal Briefings is written for lawyers and non-lawyers and sent free to members three times a year. It provides valuable updates and accessible, complainant-oriented analysis of current developments in discrimination law.

E-News is a monthly news and information service keeping members updated on discrimination law news and cases. We also use e-mail to alert members to the latest developments, events, and reports in the law and practice in the UK and Europe.

The DLA bi-annual conference provides space for innovative thinking about current and future issues in discrimination law. South African Supreme Court Judge, Justice Albie Sachs delivered the keynote speech to our 2006 conference.

The DLA is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee, Registration No. 3862592. We are currently seeking charitable status.

Aims

The Company is established:

a) To promote good community relations by improving the assistance and support given to those who are or may become subjected to discrimination by reason of race, sex, religion or belief, age, sexuality, disability or any other aspect of their position or status that is stated by domestic UK or European law as being grounds upon which discrimination is deemed unlawful.

b) To advance education and training in the field of legal representation for those persons who are or may become subjected to discrimination by reason of race, sex, religion or belief, age, sexuality, disability or any other aspect of their position or status that is stated by domestic UK or European law as being grounds upon which discrimination is deemed unlawful.

Our main areas of work include:

• Promoting and improving the giving of advice, support and representation to individuals complaining of discrimination, harassment or abuse on grounds such as race, gender, religion or belief, disability, sexual orientation or age, raising awareness and encourage debate on discrimination law and practice;
• Promoting the teaching of discrimination law;
• Securing improvements in the scope and enforcement of UK and EC anti-discrimination legislation; and
• Sharing information and ideas internationally.

For the DLA’s Constitution, its Memorandum and Articles of Association, view the attachments below.