[killer_carlson]

the Human Rights Commission is a tribunal type set up designed to adjudicate these matters without having to go to Court.

The club owners can appeal this decision to the Courts and ask for judicial review of the decision. Did she apply the correct principles, did she ignore key facts, was her finding reasonable or correct?

The Human Rights Commission is also not where you go to make a pile of money. $5,000 from them is actually a pretty good award. He suffered no financial damages, rather indignation to his person on the basis of his personal characteristics. This was about the principle involved and slapping the night club.

The costs of the Human Rights Commission are actually quite cheap. You make a complaint, then sit back as the investigator looks into it and makes a decision. If the club doesn't like it, then the Human Rights Commission steps up and defends its decision. This kid probably didn't need a lawyer - he might have wanted one due to the publicity involved, but he definately did not need one. The Human Rights Commission is set up to allow access to its services without needing legal counsel. That's why people do it all the time.