Section 31 — Equality Act 2010: Interpretation and exceptions

Interpretation and exceptions 31 1 This section applies for the purposes of this Part.

2 A reference to the provision of a service includes a reference to the provision of goods or facilities.

3 A reference to the provision of a service includes a reference to the provision of a service in the exercise of a public function.

4 A public function is a function that is a function of a public nature for the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998.

5 Where an employer arranges for another person to provide a service only to the employer's employees—

a the employer is not to be regarded as the service-provider, but b the employees are to be regarded as a section of the public.

6 A reference to a person requiring a service includes a reference to a person who is seeking to obtain or use the service.

7 A reference to a service-provider not providing a person with a service includes a reference to—

a the service-provider not providing the person with a service of the quality that the service-provider usually provides to the public (or the section of it which includes the person), or b the service-provider not providing the person with the service in the manner in which, or on the terms on which, the service-provider usually provides the service to the public (or the section of it which includes the person).

8 In relation to the provision of a service by either House of Parliament, the service-provider is the Corporate Officer of the House concerned;

and if the service involves access to, or use of, a place in the Palace of Westminster which members of the public are allowed to enter, both Corporate Officers are jointly the service-provider.

9 Schedule 2 (reasonable adjustments) has effect.

10 Schedule 3 (exceptions) has effect.