Equality bodies are required to provide independent assistance to victims of discrimination. This assistance can involve a range of activities including :

providing information about the existence of anti-discrimination laws and about the possibility to take legal action to seek remedy or compensation for an act of discrimination;
providing information about the existence of anti-discrimination laws and about the possibility to take legal action to seek remedy or compensation for an act of discrimination;
helping people who experience discrimination to come to an amicable settlement/mutual agreement (mediation) with the alleged perpetrators;
giving legal advice and representing in front of the courts people who have been discriminated;
acting as amicus curiae or third-party intervener
Investigating and hearing discrimination complaints as a quasi-judicial body and deciding on the merits of the case, either with a legally binding or a legally non-binding decision.

This section identifies what litigation powers, if any, our member equality bodies have. These cover:

Representing victims in front of courts
Bringing proceedings in the equality body’s own name
Intervening before the court
Formally deciding on complaints (be they legally binding or not)

Equinet - European network of equality bodies