WRC complaint dismissed after child’s next friend missed hearing

The WRC found that a child’s complaint of discrimination on the Traveller community ground could not succeed after her next friend did not attend the hearing. The decision was dated 19 August 2022. The complaint concerned the family’s housing difficulties and an incident at a public body’s offices. The officer said the next friend’s absence meant the child’s complaint could not proceed to a decision on its merits. The WRC found the burden of proof had not been met and that it could not establish discrimination; the merits were not decided. The parents’ separate complaints had been withdrawn.