Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 came into force on 1 October 2010. It sets out the personal characteristics that are protected by the law and the behaviour that is unlawful. It works with the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 to ensure that any public body or office holder performing a function under the Act must have regard to the adult’s abilities, background and characteristics. This includes the adult’s age, sex, sexual orientation, religious persuasion, racial origin, ethnic group, and cultural and linguistic heritage.

More information about protected characteristics under the Equality Act can be found on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.