Ethical veganism is a protected belief!
Well, who knew that? We’ve all got good (and about time too) at recognising groups protected under the Equality Act 2010. Most law students can probably recall at least the majority of the categories – age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sex. But how many of us would have thought that “belief” covered veganism?
Now this isn’t to say that you will be protected if your veganism just relates to your dietary practice and preference. The ruling came from a preliminary hearing – the applicant, Mr Jordi Casamitjana lived his belief and produced copious evidence about his ethical vegan stance in all areas of his life. The 1,000 pages of evidence submitted enabled Mr C to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the judge that his veganism was a philosophical belief and therefore a protected characteristic.
The judgement is not binding on other courts or tribunals but could still open those proverbial floodgates in relation to claims that other ethical beliefs amount to protected characteristics. Mr C tries to avoid using bank notes because an animal product is used in their production, will the Bank of England face proceedings in relation to this? What other groups may be able to claim that their beliefs are a protected characteristic trying to think of possible contenders is going to keep me going all week!