International students at Brunel University, West London

“The Tribunal determined that the requirement or condition applied was that somebody does not require a work permit and that the proportion of non-EEA nationals who could comply with that requirement was smaller than the portion of persons not in that group who could comply with it.”

A judgement by a UK court that could affect thousands of young people who want to work and study in the UK, has decided UK law firms who don’t accept international job applications from non-EEA citizens can be deemed racially discriminating.

The ruling is a result of a case brought by Indian student, Ashokvardhan Purohit, who accused top UK law firm, Osborne Clarke Services, of discrimination after they rejected his application for an internship because he needed a UK work permit.

“This case is going to help a lot of my fellow Indian nationals and other non-European Economic Area nationals to apply for the jobs in the UK and get their selection based on merit,” said Purohit.

“This is not limited to legal sector. It is applicable to each and every sector of employment as the issue of work permit is required for taking up employment in any sector within the UK for a non-EEA National,” he said.

According to the Law Society of England and Wales, several large firms have a similar bans on prospective trainees who would require a UK work permit. Applicants from countries outside the EEA, include those from India, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and China.

Are you planning on working or studying in the UK? What are your experiences? Do you have any advice for others who might be planning on moving to the UK?