Press Release
DRC lawyers win top legal award
Lawyers at the Disability Rights Commission were toasting success today after a "remarkable victory" in the House of Lords earned them a prestigious legal award.
Last night, the Disability Rights Commission's (DRC's) legal team saw off strong competition from corporate lawyers to win The Lawyer magazine's Employment Team of the Year Award. The DRC won the award after securing a landmark legal ruling under the Disability Discrimination Act in support of Scottish council worker Susan Archibald.
The Lawyer's judges described the DRC's success as "a remarkable victory".
DRC lawyers supported Susan Archibald in a three year legal battle against her employers Fife Council, which was resolved in the House of Lords last year. After the Law Lords' unanimous decision in her favour, Fife Council later conceded that they had discriminated against Mrs Archibald under the Disability Discrimination Act when they dismissed her. She was awarded almost £18,000 in compensation.
The Law Lords unanimously ruled that there is a duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people if they become unable to carry out the job they are in due to their disability. This duty includes considering whether it is reasonable to transfer the disabled person to another vacant post, even if that post is at a higher grade.
Bert Massie, Chairman of the DRC, said today:
"When the DRC takes a case to the highest courts in the county, we win - an awesome track record for a public sector legal team. Employers and those providing services to the public should take note that tackling the DRC on disability discrimination shouldn't be taken lightly. Our success in the High Courts shows the Disability Discrimination Act has teeth and sends a strong signal to disabled people that the law can secure their rights."
Mrs Archibald now works as supervisor at Kelty Community Centre and as a youth worker, as well as studying part-time for an education degree at Dundee University.
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