We are seeking a Judicial Review of a government decision-making process and its outcome, concerning who operates the national equalities helpline.

The contract for the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) was awarded to G4S - a multi-national corporation with a chequered record in delivering public services. We are asking the Court to declare the decision unlawful and to quash this contract, requiring a new tender.

This Thursday we have a hearing at the High Court, when the judge will decide whether to give us permission to carry out the Judicial Review we seek. On getting permission we would also ask Court to halt the new contract at least until proceedings are done. 

Our solicitor, Daniel Carey from law firm DPG, explains: 

“This case concerns the legal duty on the government to assess the equalities impact of procurement decisions. One would expect a high degree of compliance where the Government Equalities Office was the decision maker and the service being procured was an equalities advice line.”

Yet this was not the case. We argue that government did not properly assess EASS shortcomings with stakeholders to improve it; nor did it properly consider how to reform it with equalities watchdog the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

The problem is not just with the process, but also with the chosen provider.

Our concern is that government failed to properly consider G4S’s equality and human rights record in the many other public services it has delivered. Employing over 45,000 people in the UK, G4S also faces a conflict of interest as its own employees might need to consult EASS.

Recently we joined over 40 organisations in voicing our concerns to Parliament about the choice of G4S to deliver such a sensitive service. In response, the chair of  the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Harriet Harman MP, has written to the Equalities Minister seeking clarifications.

There has also been widespread public concern over the choice of G4S. An online petition against awarding the EASS contract to G4S has attracted over 61,000 signatures so far. 

To us, this legal action is about ensuring access to justice for disadvantaged people, as it is already difficult for people to access appropriate advice on discrimination. 

As a small charity, we do not have dedicated funding for litigation, so we need your support. Meeting the fundraising target we have set, of £6,500, would allow us to take our case forward at this stage. Exceeding it would give us more scope when considering next steps.

We think it is in the public interest that Government chooses a suitable provider to deliver this service effectively!

Links and background:

• EASS website - the service in question
• EHRC website - the independent equalities watchdog, which had operated it before
• A 'dossier' of G4S faults that raise our concern - collected by charity Liberty
• Our joint letter with 40 other organisations to Parliament committee chairs 
• SumOfUs online petition calling on EASS to not be awarded to G4S
• Harriet Harman MP letter to Education Secretary for clarifications
• Recent news report on the way the EASS contract was awarded to G4S