Discrimination in everyday life

Explains the law that protects you from discrimination by organisations or people that provide goods, facilities or services. Explains what you can do if you have been discriminated against and where you can get support and advice.

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Useful contacts

Mind's services

Mind's Legal Line provides legal information and general advice by phone and email.
Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services includes talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.

Find an advocate

To find advocacy services and groups in your area, you could call Mind's Legal Line or contact your local Mind.

If you're in hospital, you can also contact:

the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) in England
the Community Health Council in Wales.

In some circumstances, you may be legally entitled to get the support of an advocate. See our page on your legal rights to advocacy for more information.

Other organisations

Citizens Advice

0800 144 8848 (England Adviceline)
0800 702 2020 (Wales Adviceline)
18001 0800 144 8884 (textphone)
citizensadvice.org.uk
Free, confidential information and advice on your rights, including money, housing, experiences of discrimination and other problems.

Civil Legal Advice (CLA)

gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
Can tell you if you're eligible for legal aid, and give you free and confidential legal advice if so.

Employment Tribunal

gov.uk/courts-tribunals/employment-tribunal
Hears claims from people who may have been treated unfairly by an employer or potential employer.

Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS)

0808 800 0082 (helpline)
18001 0808 800 0084 (textphone)
equalityadvisoryservice.com
Advice on issues relating to equality and human rights, including guidance for disabled people.

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

equalityhumanrights.com
Promotes and monitors human rights and equality.

Law Centres Network

lawcentres.org.uk
Information about Law Centres, which defend the legal rights of people who can't afford a lawyer. Includes a searchable directory.

Law Society

lawsociety.org.uk
Professional association for solicitors in England and Wales. Includes a searchable directory of solicitors.

LawWorks

lawworks.org.uk
Connects volunteer lawyers with people who aren’t eligible for legal aid and can’t afford to pay for legal advice. Includes details of free legal advice clinics.

Office for Disability Issues

gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-disability-issues
Supports the development of policies to remove inequality between disabled and non-disabled people.

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This information was published in February 2018. We will revise it in 2021.

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