The A to Z of Housing Discrimination Case Law: Bracking v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

From Akerman-Livingstone to Z v Hackney, learn about the cases and the principles which have shaped Housing Discrimination since the Equality Act 2010 came into force.  In each of our podcasts, we will discuss one case: its facts, its context, and what principles it decided.

In this tenth podcast, Iris Ferber KC and James Hoile discuss Bracking v DWP, 2013’s foundational discrimination case about the Public Sector Equality Duty in section 149 of the Equality Act.  Although this was not a housing case, it was the first case authority to consider the (then) new duty, and it gave the Court of Appeal the opportunity to set out the fundamentals of how public bodies should comply with the PSED.  After looking at the history of the duty, and at the wording of section 149, we summarise the principles set out by the Court of Appeal, the extent of the duty, and its practical limitations.

As part of 42BR's ongoing journey to ensure their website and marketing initiatives are as accessible as possible, all podcasts will be available in a transcription format - The A to Z of Housing Discrimination Case Law - Bracking v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions transcript. ​

About the speakers

Iris Ferber KC Iris Ferber KC is a specialist in Employment, Property and Social Housing law, with a particular focus on litigation involving discrimination. She was called to the Bar in 2005, and was appointed to Silk in 2023. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

James Hoile James joined 42BR in October 2025 following the successful completion of his pupillage, during which he was supervised by Sharan Bhachu and Michael Grant. He maintains a broad practice across Chambers’ key areas, with particular interest and growing expertise in both property and family law. Before starting pupillage, James worked as a paralegal at a London law firm consistently ranked Tier 2 for Family Law in The Legal 500. He later gained further advocacy experience as a solicitor’s agent, representing clients in over 450 County Court hearings. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.