Ross v Ryanair Ltd. & Anor

Ross v Ryanair Ltd. & Anor

Both Ryanair and Stansted Airport Limited were providers of services under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and were under a duty to provide reasonable access to disabled persons, including the provision of wheelchair assistance without charge. Both failed in this duty and unlawfully discriminated against the claimant by requiring him to pay for wheelchair assistance, contrary to sections 19 and 21 of the Act.

Parties
Claimant/first Respondent: Robert Ross; First Defendant/appellant: Ryanair Limited; Second Defendant/second Respondent: Stansted Airport Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
21 December 2004
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal From Central London County Court
Outcome
Appeal dismissed; cross-appeal allowed in part
Legal Topics
Disability Discrimination, Provision of Services, Airline Liability, Access to Services for Disabled Persons
Disability Law Civil Procedure Tort Law Disability Discrimination Provision of Services Airline Liability Access to Services for Disabled Persons

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 3 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 3
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Robert Ross

Claimant/first Respondent

Ryanair Limited

First Defendant/appellant

Stansted Airport Limited

Second Defendant/second Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal From Central London County Court

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Ryanair and/or Stansted Airport Limited unlawfully discriminated against the claimant under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 by requiring payment for wheelchair assistance
  2. 2 Whether the obligation to provide wheelchair assistance rested with the airline, the airport, or both under the Act

Ratio Decidendi

Both Ryanair and Stansted Airport Limited were providers of services under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and were under a duty to provide reasonable access to disabled persons, including the provision of wheelchair assistance without charge. Both failed in this duty and unlawfully discriminated against the claimant by requiring him to pay for wheelchair assistance, contrary to sections 19 and 21 of the Act.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed; cross-appeal allowed in part

Orders

  • Declaration that both Ryanair and Stansted Airport Limited unlawfully discriminated against the claimant
  • Stansted Airport Limited to contribute 50% of Ryanair’s liability as to damages and interest