LAW REPORT : BOYLES  v. BIGOT-JOHNSON (2015)

Yet again Bigot was up before a court of law for the constructive expulsion of a member , by virtue of refusing him entry into the club on every occasion he turned up to play. As usual Bigot elected to present his own defence , and a short extract from the trial's transcript appears below.

Counsel for the plaintiff (CP) : Please enlighten me Bigot as to why you refused to allow my client .....a fully paid up member ......into the club house , to play the game he so dearly loved ?
B-J : Boyle wasn't dressed properly ....
CP : Excuse me ? ....I have it on good authority that my client dresses in a very smart and dapper way , renown for his excellent taste in top-of-the-range designer clothes
B-J : Listen bird brain......have you not read the club's by-laws and regulations , where under the section headed " Dress code " , there is a rule which categorically states ....." male members must wear a shirt and tie for an evening event , and failure to do so forfeits their right of entry ".The committee are in total agreement with me that the club's dress code needs to be rigorously enforced , in order to (a) deter riff raff from ever joining the club , and (b) to create a refined atmosphere inside the club in keeping with the majesty and splendour of  this great and noble game
CP : Yes....yes....I am fully aware of such a rule but my client was unable to wear a tie...because as you well know he has a long term persistent skin complaint .....called psoriasis....of the face and neck
B-J : Rules are rules.....with no exceptions.......otherwise to make an exception for him would simply open the floodgates for others to find medical reasons for not wearing a tie 
CP : I sorry but your refusal to make an exception in his case smacks of blatant discrimination against members with serious albeit unfortunate medical conditions. Why ...wasn't it a few months ago you refused entry to a member....simply because he was not wearing the stipulated " black leather shoes "
B-J : Correct....
CP : Yet according to several witness statements he was abiding by this rule
B-J : No he wasn't.....he was wearing only one black leather shoe....for the simple reason he had only one leg......... having recently lost the other in an unfortunate work's accident. Nevertheless the rules stipulated shoes in the plural .....and we as a committee implement these rules to the letter
CP : Bigot ....these dress code rules are inflexible , brutal and unforgiving.....completely devoid of offering sympathy , empathy and concern for members who fall victim to both accidents and misfortune 
B-J : Rules are rules....
Judge : And in this court I make them. Thankfully , I have come to a decision. You Bigot must immediately change the club's dress code policy in order to reinstate Boyle as a member , allowing him to enter the premises whenever he wants..... without a tie...... to play his favourite game 
B-J : This is an outrage...
Judge : Or if you refuse.....I am going to award Boyle £50,000 damages to cover the loss of this amenity , along with all the disappointment and emotional distress he has recently experienced. Your ultra strict interpretation of the rules , so often seen in clubs which adopt zero tolerance policies , represents an unlawful failure to make reasonable adjustments for mitigating medical factors......such as serious skin problems, necks supported by braces and breathing difficulties....
B-J : That's needless pandering..........