What is Civil Status discrimination?
Civil Status Ground
If someone treats you less favourably because you have a different civil status to someone else.
Civil status includes single, married, separated, divorced, widowed or in a civil partnership.
What is Civil Status Discrimination in Pubs?
Discrimination on the ‘civil status ground’ happens where there is less favourable treatment of one person compared to another person because they are of different civil status.
Under the Acts ‘civil status’ is defined as being single, married, separated or divorced, widowed, in a civil partnership or being a former civil partner in a civil partnership that has ended by death or been dissolved.
A pub cannot refuse to let you in because you are a member of a particular group covered by the law, or because you are with such a person, or because the staff think you are such a person.
What law protects you against discrimination in Pubs?
The Intoxicating Liquor Act protects against discrimination on or, at the point of entry” to a licensed premises (for example, a pub, or restaurant; or any place that holds a license to sell alcohol)
The Equal Status Acts protect you if you experience discrimination by a licensed premises via telephone or by email (in other words if the claimed discrimination does not occur “on or, at the point of entry” to that premises)
What is covered under the law?
Licenced premises selling alcohol, such as pubs, nightclubs and membership clubs cannot discriminate on or at the point of entry to a licensed premises.
How do I complain?
There are two different routes for complaints about discrimination by pubs.
Claims of discrimination that occur “on or, at the point of entry” to a licensed premises (for example, a pub, or restaurant; or any place that holds a license to sell alcohol) are dealt with in the District Court.
You can access the relevant court forms from the Courts Service. The main relevant provisions are contained in the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, as amended.
If the claim of discrimination against a licensed premises occurs via telephone or by email (in other words if the claimed discrimination does not occur “on or, at the point of entry” to that premises) then any such claim should be directed to the Workplace Relations Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as long as a notice setting out the policy is displayed in a conspicuous place in or on the exterior of the premises.
Have you experienced discrimination for another reason?
Select the ground and area where you have experienced discrimination