Key facts of the case - A Sikh schoolgirl wanted to wear a Kara, a bangle indicative of her religious belonging. As the school’s uniform policy did not allow the wearing of such a jewel, she was subject to a series of exclusions. She applied for judicial review of the decision refusing to allow her the Kara, arguing that this constituted indirect discrimination on grounds of race under the Race Relations Act 1976 and on grounds of religion under the Equality Act 2006.

Main reasoning of the court - Her claim in the High Court was successful on the ground that the school had indirectly and unjustifiably discriminated against her on grounds of her race (‘ethnicity’) and religion. The court recognized that wearing the Kara was of ‘exceptional importance’ to her and, objectively, to members of her group. It did not need to be a ‘requirement’ of her ethnicity or religion.

See the decision: 2008-06-29 - High Court of Justice, IR (on the application of Watkins-Singh) v Aberdare Girls’ High School Governors [2008] EWHC 1865 (Admin).