Section 144: Contracting out

Equality Act 2010 · 2010 c. 15View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 10: Contracts, etc.

A term of a contract is unenforceable by a person in whose favour it would operate in so far as it purports to exclude or limit a provision of or made under this Act.

A relevant non-contractual term (as defined by section 142) is unenforceable by a person in whose favour it would operate in so far as it purports to exclude or limit a provision of or made under this Act, in so far as the provision relates to disability.

This section does not apply to a contract which settles a claim within section 114.

This section does not apply to a contract which settles a complaint within section 120 if the contract—

is made with the assistance of a conciliation officer, or
is a qualifying settlement agreement .

A contract within subsection (4) includes a contract which settles a complaint relating to a breach of an equality clause or rule or of a non-discrimination rule.

A contract within subsection (4) includes an agreement by the parties to a dispute to submit the dispute to arbitration if—

the dispute is covered by a scheme having effect by virtue of an order under section 212A of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, and
the agreement is to submit the dispute to arbitration in accordance with the scheme.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.