The Advocate General has handed down another very important opinion in the case of Coleman v Attridge Law and Steve Law.

The case concerns Mrs Coleman's claim that she was discriminated against when she requested flexible working arrangements to look after her disabled son. An employment tribunal referred the question of whether protection from disability discrimination under the EC Equal Treatment Framework Directive extends to those not themselves disabled but closely associated with a disabled person.

The Advocate General has stated that the Directive prohibits discrimination and harassment by association. The Advocate General's opinion is usually, but not always, followed by the ECJ.