Katy Smith

Lead advisor Katy Smith succeeded in a discrimination case at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. Sheriff Hodge found in favour of the client, who had been denied entry to a local café with her registered guide dog, and awarded them £2,000 plus costs.

The client had been referred to ALP by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB).

The client said: “When I was refused entry to the café, it felt like I didn’t belong anywhere because I was disabled. I felt invisible. Katy and Jamie at the Aberdeen Law Project were the first people that listened and saw me as a person.

“I will forever be grateful for everything that they have done to help me win this case, but also for simply taking the time to listen. I hope this case helps other Guide Dog owners believe that it is possible to stand up against discrimination to create a more inclusive society for all. This case is a victory not just for me, but for every Guide Dog owner.”

Katy Smith said: “When I heard about this case, I knew it was something we could assist with at the Aberdeen Law Project. I’m over the moon at what we have achieved in this case and I’m sure the client is ecstatic too. The case demonstrated the discrimination that people can face on a day-to-day basis, and I hope the outcome reiterates to service providers that they must ensure that every person in our society is catered for.”

Samantha Fothergill, senior legal adviser at RNIB, said: “I am delighted that the Aberdeen Law Project were able to take this case on and achieve such a brilliant result for the client.

“The £2,000 award is the highest award for a guide dog refusal that RNIB has come across and… we hope that this case shows that these complaints are worth taking forward and with the right support good results can be achieved. We hope this will inspire other guide dog owners to challenge future refusals.”