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The High Court overturned previous decisions by the Workplace Relations Commission and the Circuit Court, holding that a corporate entity has standing to bring a complaint for discrimination under Irish equality law. The court found that there was no clear intention by the legislature to exclude legal persons from the scope of protection in the Equal Status Act, and that discrimination can arise even when the complainant does not personally possess the protected characteristic, including where discrimination is by association. The decision emphasised a purposive and expansive interpretation of the statute, consistent with principles of EU law, rejecting arguments that only natural persons could seek recourse under the Act. The matter was remitted to the Workplace Relations Commission for a full hearing on the substantive discrimination claim.
standing – legal person – discrimination by association – Equal Status Act 2000 – Workplace Relations Commission – Circuit Court appeal – High Court statutory appeal – interpretation of "person – Interpretation Act 2005 – Council Directive 2000/43/EC (Race Directive) – Charter of Fundamental Rights (EU) – European Convention on Human Rights – recital 16 – s. 3(1)(b) – expressio unius exclusio alterus (to express one thing is to exclude another) – statutory interpretation – remedial legislation
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