Dr. Lauren Kierans:

When we talk about training, it is also important to note that the decision-makers at the WRC should also be receiving specific training in this area, as well as judges. The protection of whistleblowers legislation in Serbia requires judges dealing in the area of protected disclosures and whistleblowing to receive training. Six years after the enactment of that legislation, 1,100 judges have received protected disclosures or whistleblowing training. They are only entitled to hear those sorts of cases if they have received the training.

Protect, a whistleblowing charity based in the UK, has also suggested that similar obligations to those for judges and employment tribunals should be in place for decision-makers before they hear discrimination cases. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan earlier mentioned that this is a complex area of law. It is important that we have well-rounded training, not only for managers but also for those who are actually making decisions under the Act.