The High Court can transfer proceedings wrongly started in High Court to the County Court as an alternative to its jurisdiction to strike out the claim. Stuart-Smith LJ said: ‘. . provided proceedings are started within the time permitted by the statute of limitations, are not frivolous, vexatious or an abuse of the process of … Continue reading Restick v Crickmore: CA 3 Dec 1993
The application proceeded against one named respondent. Even though the true identity of the intended defendant was known throughout, no application to substitute the correct defendant was made. An unfair diamissal was found, but not as against the named defendant, the triunal refused an application to substitute the correct defendant and the claim was lost. … Continue reading Linbourne v B R Constable (Gatwick Moat House): EAT 9 Feb 1993
ECJ The terms used in the Convention of 27 September 1968 on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters must be interpreted autonomously. Only such an interpretation is capable of ensuring uniform application of the Convention, the objectives of which include unification of the rules on jurisdiction of the Contracting States, … Continue reading Mulox IBC v Hendrick Geels: ECJ 13 Jul 1993
Female nurses had to wear a cap whereas male nurses did not, though male nurses had to wear a tunic with epaulettes. They claimed discrimination. Held: A requirement for female to wear a nurse’s cap where no similar rule applied for men, was not discriminatory. The fact that one feature of the female nurses’ uniform … Continue reading Burrett v West Birmingham Health Authority: EAT 6 Dec 1993
Two women parties used funds generated by a joint business venture to buy a house in which they lived together. It was vested in the sole name of the plaintiff but on the understanding that they were joint beneficial owners. The purpose of the arrangement was so that false benefit claims could be made to … Continue reading Tinsley v Milligan: HL 28 Jun 1993
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Time for appealing Rule 39(1) of the Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules 1993 (‘the Rules’) is not relevant to the process of deciding whether an appeal has been lodged in time pursuant to Rule 37(1) of the Rules because the appeal process does not start until an appeal is properly instituted and … Continue reading J v K and Another (Practice and Procedure: Time for Appealing): EAT 10 May 2017
EAT Appeal from Registrar’s Order – whether the appeal was in time The appeal raised two questions: (1) Whether the Employment Tribunal’s re-issue of the Judgment under a certificate of correction meant that time began to run from the when the re-issued Judgment was sent out? If so, the appeal had been served in time. … Continue reading Majekodunmi v City Facilities Management Uk Ltd and Others (Practice and Procedure: Time for Appealing): EAT 25 Sep 2015
A statement made by a politician as to his intentions on a particular matter if elected could not create a legitimate expectation as regards the delivery of the promise after elected, even where the promise would directly affect individuals, and the costs of a child’s education. Any consequences of a failure to keep a promise … Continue reading Regina v Department of Education and Employment ex parte Begbie: CA 20 Aug 1999
Ms Gillick had made an application based on sex discrimination in the first place against an agency which had contracted out her services to various divisions of BP Chemicals Ltd. The Respondents were the Company which had done that and in their Notice of Appearance they disputed that there had been an employment relationship between … Continue reading Gillick v BP Chemicals: EAT 1993
The appellants were teachers in Christian schools who said that the blanket ban on corporal punishment interfered with their religious freedom. They saw moderate physical discipline as an essential part of educating children in a Christian manner. Held: The appeal was dismissed. For Article 9 to be engaged (aside from certain other threshold conditions) the … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others: HL 24 Feb 2005
bas_thomasEAT199303 The court had given one judgment dismissing the employer’s appeal against a finding that the employee had not unreasonably refused a new position and was accordingly redudant. Before the order was drawn up a further point of law was raied and the court sat again to consider it. It now asked: ‘whether the criterion … Continue reading Bass Leisure Ltd v Thomas: EAT 22 Mar 1993
The time limits for lodging appeals against Employment tribunal rulings are strict. The date of promulgation is the operative date from which the date sent is to be calculated. The rules set aside the normal rules on interpretation as to when a document might be deemed to arrive. Judges: Morrison P Citations: Gazette 02-Sep-1999, [1999] … Continue reading Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council v Ladejobi: EAT 2 Sep 1999
Counsel appearing at the tribunal had previously sat as a judge with a tribunal member. The opposing party asserted bias in the tribunal. Held: The test in Gough should be restated in part so that the court must first ascertain all the circumstances which have a bearing on the suggestion that the judge was biased. … Continue reading Lawal v Northern Spirit Limited: HL 19 Jun 2003
Complaint was made within time limit when the decision complained of was a reconsideration of an earlier decision, not just a reference back to it. Held: In a sex discrimination case, where there has been a constructive dismissal, time runs from the date of the employer’s breach and not from the date of the employee’s … Continue reading Cast v Croydon College: CA 19 Mar 1998
The applicant appealed against a refusal of the EAT to award him the costs of his appeal. Citations: [2009] EWCA Civ 796 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules 1993 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Employment, Costs Updated: 27 November 2022; Ref: scu.361446
The Tribunal refused to grant extensions of time: (1) by one day for a party’s notification under Rule 3(10) of the EAT Rules 1993 of dissatisfaction with a decision under Rule 3(7), where there was no clear and acceptable explanation for the delay; and (2) by 219 days for the lodging of a Notice of … Continue reading Griffiths and Another v Cetin (Practice and Procedure): EAT 1 Apr 2021
The claimant had claimed race discrimination. The tribunal declined to order the issue of witness summonses. The EAT overturned that decision on the basis that the tribunal had not recognised that it had a discretion to issue the summonses, and had therefore failed to exercise it, and remitted the case for rehearing. The employer appealed. … Continue reading Noorani v Merseyside TEC Limited: CA 19 Oct 1998
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – appearance/striking-out The Claimant was represented by her husband, who is not legally qualified. They attended and participated in a Preliminary Hearing, at which an ET considered whether the Claimant’s claims had no, or little reasonable prospect of success, and allowed them to proceed without making a deposit order. The Claimant was … Continue reading Dimitriu v Testerworld Ltd (T/A De Pharmaceutical) (Practice and Procedure – Appearance/Striking-Out): EAT 16 Jan 2020
The deceased’s adult son sought provision from the intestate estate. The sole beneficiary under the rules was the plaintiff’s mother. The estate was modest; the intestate’s interest in his house (he had been living there with the plaintiff). The widow was found to have a one third interest in it. The judge took the disposable … Continue reading In Re Coventry (deceased): CA 3 Jan 1979
The applicant sought leave to appeal against a decision disallowing his complaint at his claim for race discrimination being struck out as scandalous, frivolous or vexatious. He said that the Tribunal had dismissed his claim without giving him opportunity to present the facts on which it was based. Held: Given the decision on Roffey, the … Continue reading Balamoody v United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing: CA 14 May 2001
The claimant sought to enforce a judgment debt against a foreign resident company, and for this purpose to examine or have examined a director who lived abroad. The defendant said that the rules gave no such power and they did, the power was outside the rule-maker’s power. Held: Even though the rule-making power is wide … Continue reading Masri v Consolidated Contractors International Co Sal and Others: HL 30 Jul 2009
Parties to litigation had made without prejudice disclosures. One party sought to give evidence contradicting the dsclosure, and the other now applied for leave to amend based upon the without prejudice statements to be admitted to demonstrate the perjury. Held: The court had to balance the competing needs of fairness and expedition. There was nothing … Continue reading Savings and Investment Bank Ltd (In Liquidation) v Fincken: CA 14 Nov 2003
Refusal of EAT to review own decision is not a final order disposing of proceedings. Citations: Times 10-Dec-1996 Statutes: Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules 1993 (1993 No 2854) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Employment Updated: 04 November 2022; Ref: scu.84680
The claimant had been dismissed for gross misconduct. As a teacher he had drunk alcohol at school, and taken a bottle of wine. His complaint of unfair dismissal had been dismissed, and he appealed that decision, saying the school had departed from proper procedures, that the panels had been chosen in contravention of procedures, and … Continue reading Atkin v The Grove Primary School and Another: EAT 15 Nov 2001
EAT Deposit ordered. Order lost in post due to the Claimant putting wrong post-code on ET1. Review. Distinguishing Judgments from Orders. Strike-out. Extending time. Judges: His Honour Peter Clark Citations: [2005] UKEAT 0318 – 05 – 2907, UKEAT/0319/05/TM, UKEAT/0318/05/TM, [2005] ICR 1647, UKEAT/0320/05/TM, [2005] IRLR 836 Links: Bailii, EATn Statutes: Employment Tribunal Rules 2004 20(1) … Continue reading Sodexho Ltd v Gibbons: EAT 14 Jul 2005
The claimant advanced funds to the respondent for him to invest in a bank of which the claimant had insider knowledge. In fact the defendant did not invest the funds, the knowledge was incorrect. The defendant however did not return the sums advanced, saying he need not return it because the contract was for an … Continue reading Patel v Mirza: SC 20 Jul 2016
EAT Whether Notice of Appeal out of timeExtension of timeNotice of Appeal sent by Appellant’s representatives to an e-mail address of the EAT and that e-mail address had ‘successful delivery’ of the e-mail from the Appellant’s representatives. It matters not whether the e-mail from the Appellant’s representatives appeared in any ‘In-box’ in the EAT’s system; … Continue reading Patel v South Tyneside Council and Others: EAT 28 Nov 2011
This appeal concerns the directly effective right of police officers under EU law to have the principle of equal treatment applied to them. The question raised is whether the enforcement of that right by means of proceedings in the Employment Tribunal is barred by the principle of judicial immunity, where the allegedly discriminatory conduct is … Continue reading P v Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: SC 25 Oct 2017
The claimant sought an order to prevent the defendant, a former employee, from misusing its confidential information said to be held by her. Her contract contained no post employment restrictions but did seek to control confidential and other information. She had obtained employment with a customer of the claimant, and was said to carry out … Continue reading Caterpillar Logistics Services (UK) Ltd v Huesca De Crean: QBD 2 Dec 2011
External relations – Europe Agreement between the Communities and Poland – Interpretation of the first indent of Article 37(1) – Prohibition of discrimination based on nationality as regards conditions of employment or dismissal for Polish workers legally employed in a Member State – Fixed-term contract of employment of a foreign-language assistant – Effect on such … Continue reading Land Nordrhein-Westfalen v Pokrzeptowicz-Meyer: ECJ 29 Jan 2002
Europa The benefits paid by an employer to a worker on the latter’s redundancy constitute a form of pay to which the worker is entitled in respect of his employment, which is paid to him upon termination of the employment relationship, which facilitates his adjustment to the new circumstances resulting from the loss of his … Continue reading Barber v Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance Group: ECJ 17 May 1990
EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE APPELLATE JURISDICTION Observations on hearing of a fresh Notice of Appeal in EAT R3(8). Requirement only for a second Notice; however (a) lodging a second Notice setting out the same or similar grounds to the original Notice is liable to be rejected as an abuse of process and (b) only one … Continue reading Plank v Atkins Ltd: EAT 20 Jan 2010
A school board employed staff to manage a residential school for vulnerable children. The staff committed sexual abuse of the children. The school denied vicarious liability for the acts of the teachers. Held: ‘Vicarious liability is legal responsibility imposed on an employer, although he is himself free from blame, for a tort committed by his … Continue reading Lister and Others v Hesley Hall Ltd: HL 3 May 2001
The court was asked as to the interrelationship of the statutory schemes relating to the protection of employees’ pensions and to corporate insolvency. Held: Liabilities which arose from financial support directions or contribution notices issued by the Pensions Regulator under the 2004 Act after the company had gone into administration, which required the company to … Continue reading In re Nortel Companies and Others: SC 24 Jul 2013
The claimant journalist sought disclosure of papers acquired by the respondent in its conduct of enquiries into the charitable Mariam appeal. The Commission referred to an absolute exemption under section 32(2) of the 2000 Act, saying that the exemption continued until the papers were destroyed, or for 20 years under the 1958 Act. Held: The … Continue reading Kennedy v The Charity Commission: SC 26 Mar 2014
EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURECase managementOn remission to the Employment Tribunal by the EAT, a CMD set out the issues to be heard. The full range of the Claimant’s 12 strands of discrimination was not to be determined but only considered as background to two claims. There was no appeal against that agreed order so the … Continue reading Johnson v Edwardian International Hotels Limited: EAT 23 Jul 2009
EAT The company decided to close two branches and make redundancies. They presented the closure itself as a fait accompli to the union representatives. The Tribunal found that this involved a failure to consult about ways of avoiding redundancies because the decision to close had been determined prior to any meeting with the union. Held: … Continue reading Securicor Omega Express Ltd v GMB (A Trade Union): EAT 7 Apr 2003
Acting on guidance, the parties representatives and the tribunal had assumed that part of the award relating to loss of future earnings would not be taxable. The question now was whether the tribunal had power of its own motion to review its decision. Held: ‘There is a difference between saying that a case to which … Continue reading Williams v Ferrosan Ltd: EAT 5 Mar 2004
Compensation for non-economic loss brought about by the manner of an unfair dismissal is, on authority and on principle, recoverable. The award of such compensation by the employment tribunal in the present case was not excessive and was adequately explained. The court could look to parliamentary reports to identify the mischief sought to be rectified, … Continue reading Dunnachie v Kingston Upon Hull City Council: CA 11 Feb 2004
Entitlement to oral hearing Citations: [2018] UKEAT 0315 – 17 – 2103 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules 1993 3(10) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: See Also – Lema v DHL Supply Chain Ltd EAT 28-Aug-2018 . . Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete. Employment Updated: 14 July 2022; … Continue reading Lema v DHL Supply Chain Ltd: EAT 21 Mar 2018
An industrial tribunal hearing conducted behind the locked doors of the chairman’s office was not held in public, even if, in fact, no member of the public was prevented from attending. The obligation to sit in public was fundamental, and the tribunal had no jurisdiction to conduct itself in this way. The industrial tribunal system … Continue reading Storer v British Gas plc: CA 25 Feb 2000
The claimant alleged unfair dismissal. The respondent failed to enter a response within the period required, and was refused an extension of time. It appealed that refusal, saying the tribunal had failed to allow for the factors enumerated in the Kwik Save case. The respondent claimed those guidelines had been superceded by the newer rules. … Continue reading The Polygon Corporation v Tregunna: EAT 14 Nov 2001
The owners made substantial losses after the charterers breached the contract by failing to redliver the ship on time as agreed. Held: On the facts found the Owners’ primary claim is not too remote. To the knowledge of the Charterers, it was accepted as a hazard of late redelivery that the vessel would miss her … Continue reading Transfield Shipping Inc of Panama v Mercator Shipping Inc of Monrovia: ComC 1 Dec 2006
EAT Unfair Dismissal – Polkey deductionAppeal on basis that Chairman failed to consider whether a Polkey deduction was appropriate in a failure to consult redundancy unfair dismissal. Respondent had been debarred from taking part after late ET3 and Rule 9 decision. Need for care by Tribunals in such circumstances. Appeal on this ground successful. Other … Continue reading NSM Music Ltd v Leefe: EAT 20 Jun 2006
The employer appealed a finding of sex discrimination. The court criticised severely the way that the two firms of solicitors had failed to work together to put the real issues before the court. It was wrong for a party to seek to withhold documents which were relevant to the issues before the court. The behaviour … Continue reading The Premium Cream Co Ltd v K Parsons: EAT 30 Jan 2002
The club regulated greyhound racing. The claimant had complained that its disciplinary proceedings had been conducted unfairly. He said that a panel member had an interest as veterinary surgeon in the proceedings at the stadium at which the alleged offence occurred. Held: The appeal by the club succeeded. No bias whether real or apparent had … Continue reading Flaherty v National Greyhound Racing Club Ltd: CA 14 Sep 2005
Practice and Procedure – There is no reasonable prospect of success in an appeal against refusal to exercise discretion to extend time for an appeal under Rule 21 (1) and 37 (1) when it is common ground that UAE and Aziz principles apply and no explanation was given for solicitors’ failure, a fortiori in an … Continue reading Khan v Royal Mail Group Plc: EAT 30 Sep 2004
EAT The two appeals raised questions as to (i) whether the Chairman of an employment tribunal had misdirected herself in relation to an application to amend an originating application, and (ii) as to the jurisdiction of an employment tribunal under The Employment Tribunals (Constitutions and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004 to review its own previous … Continue reading Onwuka v Spherion Technology UK Ltd and others: EAT 26 Nov 2004
The claimant was a director of the employer’s company. He claimed that the relationship of trust and confidence with the company had been undermined so far as to be a repudiatory breach of the contract. Before his complaint of unfair dismissal, he wrote without prejudice to the employers offering to stay a full time employee … Continue reading Independent Research Services Ltd v Catterall: EAT 26 Jun 1992
At a preliminary hearing, when the respondent failed to appear, the tribunal decided that it had jurisdiction to hear a case brought by the claimant against the respondent despite the 1978 Act. The respondent sought to appeal out of time. Held: The Appeal Tribunal should pay regard also decisions on the procedure and practice of … Continue reading United Arab Emirates v Abdelghafar and others: EAT 29 Jul 1994
Application for leave to appeal. Citations: Unreported, 3 March 1994 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Approved – Schmidt v Austick’s Bookshops EAT 1977 The bookshop company’s employment rules prohibited trousers for female workers, a dress code which was upheld by the Tribunal. Held: There was no detriment. As there was no comparable restriction for men … Continue reading Burrett v West Birmingham Health Authority: CA 3 Mar 1994
The claimant had been ordered to pay a deposit as a condition of being allowed to proceed with the claim which the tribunal had judged to have no reasonable prospect of success. The claim was struck out after the tribunal had been wrongly told that the deposits had not been paid. The strike out was … Continue reading Immigration Advisory Services v Oommen: EAT 19 Mar 1997
The respondents appealed against a finding of unlawful sex discrimination. The claimant had been seeking psychotherapy, and the defendant sought discovery of her therapy history. Held: The notes may have been relevant, and an order should have been made for their disclosure. Citations: [1997] UKEAT 220 – 97 – 1802 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Appeal … Continue reading A v B and Another: EAT 18 Feb 1997
The tribunal was asked as to the date from which time started to run for the purposes of calculating the 42-day period within which an appeal should have been brought from a decision of an Employment Tribunal, if it was to be brought at all. Held: Morison J said that Section 7 of the Interpretation … Continue reading London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham v Ladejobi: EAT 1 Nov 1998
Mrs Nolan had been employed at a US airbase. When it closed, and she was made redundant, she complained that the appellant had not consulted properly on the redundancies. The US denied that it had responsibility to consult, and now appealed. Held: The appeal failed (Lord Carnworth dissenting). That the exact situation might not have … Continue reading The United States of America v Nolan: SC 21 Oct 2015
Three appeals raised issues about the way in which sex discrimination laws were to be applied for cases involving sexual orientation. Held: The court should start by asking what gave rise to the act complained of. In this case it was the sexual orientation of the first claimant. Discrimination for sexual orientation does not come … Continue reading MacDonald v Advocate General for Scotland (Scotland); Pearce v Governing Body of Mayfield School: HL 19 Jun 2003
Preliminary appeal against order for payment by claimant of respondent’s costs of the hearing before the Emloyment Tribunal. Held: The appeal could go ahead. Judges: Charles J Citations: [1999] UKEAT 220 – 99 – 0207 Links: Bailii Statutes: Industrial Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 1993 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: See Also … Continue reading Ghosh v London Borough of Tower Hamlets: EAT 2 Jul 1999
The appellant wished to pursue an appeal against the striking out of his claim, and objected that contrary to the Rules, a member of the board who had heard the pre-hearing review had also sat on the full hearing. Held: The appeal should be allowed to go ahead. Judges: Charles J Citations: [1999] UKEAT 1170 … Continue reading Lawal v Northern Spirit Ltd: EAT 15 Feb 1999
In the context of the time for appealing to the EAT under Rule 3(3) EAT Rules 1993, as amended, ‘sent’ referred to the date appearing on the ET ‘decision’.Morison P said: ‘Industrial Tribunal chairmen are required to produce reasons. When reduced to writing, it is the responsibility of the clerk to transmit those reasons to … Continue reading Mock v Inland Revenue: EAT 1 Mar 1999
EAT Procedural Issues – Employment Appeal Tribunal. Citations: [2003] EAT 1281 – 02 – 2502, [2003] UKEAT 1281 – 02 – 2502, PA/1281/02 Links: Bailii, Bailii, EATn Citing: Cited – Mock v Inland Revenue EAT 1-Mar-1999 In the context of the time for appealing to the EAT under Rule 3(3) EAT Rules 1993, as amended, … Continue reading Kanapathiar v London Borough of Harrow: EAT 25 Feb 2003
EAT Practice and Procedure – Time for appealing Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Burton (P) Citations: PA/207/03, [2003] EAT 0207 – 03 – 2506, [2003] UKEAT 0207 – 03 – 2506, [2004] ICR 55, [2004] IRLR 185 Links: Bailii, Bailii, EATn Citing: Cited – Mock v Inland Revenue EAT 1-Mar-1999 In the context of the … Continue reading Sian v Abbey National Plc: EAT 25 Jun 2003
The claimant sought damages from his wife for personal injuries. He had been late beginning the claim, and it was served without particulars. He then failed to serve the particulars within 14 days. Totty and then Sayers had clarified the procedure for applications for extension of time. Held: The lower courts had failed to apply … Continue reading Price v Price (Trading As Poppyland Headware): CA 26 Jun 2003
EAT Unfair Dismissal – CompensationIn each case, The employee sought additional damages for non-economic loss after an unfair dismissal. Held: The Act could be compared with the Discrimination Acts which explicitly awarded damages for hurt feelings. Clear authority lay against such awards in unfair dismissal cases. An Employment Tribunal considering a claim for damages for … Continue reading Dunnachie v Kingston Upon Hull City Council; Williams v Southampton Institute; Dawson v Stonham Housing Association: EAT 8 Apr 2003
The applicant was a senior officer seconded to the National Crime Squad. He complained that his secondment had been terminated in a manner which was unfair, and left him tainted without opportunity to reply. He appealed against rejection of his request for judicial review. Held: The appeal failed. Operational matters within the police service, save … Continue reading Regina (Tucker) v Director General of the National Crime Squad: CA 17 Jan 2003
The applicant objected that one of the lay members of the Appeal Tribunal had, on other occasions, sat with a recorder who, as counsel, was appearing for a party in that appeal. Held: There was no real possibility of bias from this scenario. The tribunal had to be independent and impartial, but mere generalised allegations … Continue reading Lawal v Northern Spirit Ltd: EAT 6 Oct 1999
The employer appealed against a finding of unlawful deduction of wages. Held: The words ‘any . . emolument’ includes overtime pay, which may be isolated from other contractual terms as to pay. An arrangement under which the employer had tried to defeat a claim for unpaid overtime, by redescribing the basic pay rate failed. The … Continue reading Pendragon Plc v Nota: EAT 18 Mar 2002
The claimant had had mixed success in claims for race discrimination, but appealed orders to pay to the costs of the respondents. She claimed to be impecunious and that that should have been taken into account before deciding whether a costs order should be made against her. Should a costs sanction be available to restrain … Continue reading Dr I Kovacs v Queen Mary and Westfield College and Another: CA 22 Mar 2002
The applicant had, in earlier proceedings before the Employment Tribunal, withdrawn issues she had raised. She now sought to pursue them, and the respondent asserted that she was estopped from doing so, and that the matter was res judicata. The chairman, having received a letter withdrawing the case, had entered the decision without hearing from … Continue reading Rothschild Asset Management Limited v Ako: CA 1 Mar 2002
Grounds for extending time to appeal from Employment Tribunal Citations: [2018] EWCA Civ 2285 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules 1993 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Employment Updated: 05 June 2022; Ref: scu.625949
The council sought to make redundancies because of its financial circumstances following re-organisation. The employees said the consultation procedure had been a sham. Held: Fair consultation involves giving the body consulted a fair and proper opportunity to understand fully the matters about which it is being consulted, and to express its views on those subjects, … Continue reading Middlesbrough Borough Council v TGWU Unison: EAT 4 May 2001
A policewoman, having made a complaint of serious sexual assault against a fellow officer complained again that the Commissioner had failed to protect her against retaliatory assaults. Her claim was struck out, but restored on appeal. Held: Her claim was arguable. It was possible that the Commissioner owed to her a similar duty as would … Continue reading Waters v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis: HL 27 Jul 2000
The claimant sought damages from the respondents. The case was listed to be heard over 25 days, but she sought an adjournment because of her own ill health. She appealed a refusal of the adjournment. The adjournment was refused on several grounds, including the great age of the action, and the need for a speedy … Continue reading C Maloney v London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham; C Whatford; Governing Body of Hammersmith School and D A Williams: CA 7 May 1999
The claimant had brought and lost an action relating to his dismissal by the defendant, who now appealed against an order that he was not estopped from bring a second claim on a different basis namely race discrimination, disapplying the rule in Henderson. Held: The Council’s appeal succeeded. The rule in Henderson should have been … Continue reading Divine-Bortey v London Borough of Brent: CA 14 May 1998
The claimant had sought damages against his employer, saying that they had failed in their duty to him under the 1997 Act in failing to prevent harassment by a manager. He appealed a strike out of his claim. Held: The appeal succeeded. The issue is whether an employer may be vicariously liable under section 3 … Continue reading Majrowski v Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust: CA 16 Mar 2005
‘Employment’ in context of a sex discrimination claim referred to a current employment contract even in context of there having been a series of repeated contracts of employment. The question was referred to the European Court of Justice. Judges: Lord Slynn of Hadley, Lord Goff of Chieveley Lord Nolan Lord Hope of Craighead Lord Clyde … Continue reading Preston and Others v Wolverhampton Healthcare NHS and Others; Fletcher and Others v Midland Bank Plc: HL 26 Feb 1998
An appellate court whose jurisdiction is limited to matters of law can only interfere where there has been a breach of well-established legal principles such as failing to take account of relevant factors. When considering barring a party for late filing of a document, the absence of a good reason for a response not being … Continue reading Kwik Save Stores Ltd v Swain: EAT 1997
The claimant asserted the appearance of prejudice in the tribunal which had heard his claim. Held: The claim was unfounded. Courts should acknowledge that there was always a risk of causing suspicion if untoward remarks were made, and a court should be careful. Nevertheless, the appeal was dismissed. EAT Procedural Issues – Employment Tribunal. Judges: … Continue reading Deman v Victoria University of Manchester: EAT 28 Sep 1998
The claimants sought to challenge the legislation which removed their employment rights upon attaining the age of 65, arguing that this was discriminatory against men. The Secretary of State appealed the tribunal’s decision. Held: The tribunal had selected the wrong set of comparators. In cases where the issue related to the entitlement to redundancy payments … Continue reading Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Rutherford and Another; Same v Bentley: EAT 2 Oct 2003
An employment tribunal had no power to dismiss a claim as without a reasonable prospect of success before it was begun to be heard. The power to regulate its own hearings did not include such a power, and the power to dismiss a claim as frivolous or vexatious, or for failure to comply with directions … Continue reading Care First Partnership Ltd v Roffey and Others: CA 22 Nov 2000
The bookshop company’s employment rules prohibited trousers for female workers, a dress code which was upheld by the Tribunal. Held: There was no detriment. As there was no comparable restriction for men it was not possible to say that women were treated less favourably than men. Phillips J said: ‘if one considers the situation of … Continue reading Schmidt v Austick’s Bookshops: EAT 1977
The rules required a notice to be sent not less than 14 days before a date fixed for a hearing. Held: The word ‘send’ in Rule 5 refers to the date when the notice is received or deemed to have been received under the Interpretation Act. In so concluding, it relied upon section 7 of … Continue reading Derrybaa Ltd v Castro Blanco: EAT 1986
The Appellant employee had applied for leave to amend his first application by substituting the name of the parent company. The Tribunal held that the rules of procedure relating to time limits went to their jurisdiction and that the amended application would be allowed but would bear the date of the amendment and would accordingly … Continue reading Cocking v Sandhurst (Stationers) Ltd: NIRC 1974
Doctors working in primary health care teams are subject to the Working Time Directive. They are not to be assimilated as public service workers alongside emergency services. All time on call was working time and overtime if present at a health centre, but if merely contactable then the rules applied to the time actually spent. … Continue reading Sindicato de Medicos de Asistancia Publica (SIMAP) v Colsilieria de Sanidad y Consumo de la Generalidad Valenciana: ECJ 3 Oct 2000
A claim had been made for mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos, but the claim arose in Guernsey. Acknowledging the acute difficultis particular to the evidence in such cases, the House of Lords, in Fairchild. had introduced the Special Rule at common law as to such evidence. In the UK, the 2006 Act had amended the … Continue reading Zurich Insurance Plc UK Branch v International Energy Group Ltd: SC 20 May 2015
The High Court had found the plaintiff to be a charity, and ordered the Attorney-General to be joined in. The A-G appealed that order saying that the plaintiff was not a charity within the 1993 Act. The charity sought to spread the Vaishnava religion in London. Held: Charities Act jurisdiction is restricted to charities registered … Continue reading Gaudiya Mission and others v Brahmachary: CA 30 Jul 1997
The appellant, of Nigerian origin had been brought here at the age of 14 with false identity papers, and was put to work caring for the respondent’s children. In 2008 she was dismissed and ejected from the house. She brought proceedings alleging racial discrimination, but the only element of her claim which succeeded was of … Continue reading Hounga v Allen and Another: SC 30 Jul 2014
The appellant, a part time recorder challenged his exclusion from pension arrangements. Held: The appeal was allowed. No objective justification has been shown for departing from the basic principle of remunerating part-timers pro rata temporis. ‘The reality is that recorders are expected to observe the terms and conditions of their appointment, and that they may … Continue reading O’Brien v Ministry of Justice: SC 6 Feb 2013
Lloyds Agents Owe Care Duty to Member; no Contract Managing agents conducted the financial affairs of the Lloyds Names belonging to the syndicates under their charge. It was alleged that they managed these affairs with a lack of due careleading to enormous losses. Held: The assumption of responsibility principle enunciated in Hedley is not confined … Continue reading Henderson v Merrett Syndicates Ltd: HL 25 Jul 1994
The claimant, a charity assisting immigrants and asylum seekers, challenged a policy document regulating the access to the court of failed applicants facing removal. They said that the new policy, reducing the opportunity to appeal to 72 hours or less, made ineffective any right for judicial review. Held: The request was granted, and the 2010 … Continue reading Medical Justice, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: Admn 26 Jul 2010
EAT Practice and Procedure: Costs – Costs before the Employment Appeal Tribunal – Rules 34A(1) and 34A(2A) Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules 1993 (as amended) Although the Appellant had been partly successful on its appeal, its conduct of the appeal had been such that no award would be made on its application under Rule 34A(2A) EAT … Continue reading Faithorn Farrell Timms Llp v Bailey: EAT 23 Nov 2016
EAT Practice and Procedure: Costs – The Claimant succeeded in the majority although not all of his claims. It was necessary for him to pursue his appeals. Fees of andpound;2,400 had been incurred. Portnykh v Nomura International Plc UKEAT/0448/13 and Look Ahead Housing v Chetty [2015] ICR 375 considered. The way in which the Claimant … Continue reading Colletti v Borealis Driver Services Ltd: EAT 18 May 2016
EAT Practice and Procedure: Costs – The Claimant succeeded in the majority although not all of his claims. It was necessary for him to pursue his appeals. Fees of andpound;2,400 had been incurred. Portnykh v Nomura International Plc UKEAT/0448/13 and Look Ahead Housing v Chetty [2015] ICR 375 considered. The way in which the Claimant … Continue reading Colletti v Alcaline UK Ltd and Another: EAT 18 May 2016
The claimants challenged the 2004 Order which prevented their return to their homes on the Chagos Islands. The islanders had been taken off the island to leave it for use as a US airbase. In 2004, the island was no longer needed, and payment had been made (ineffectively) to assist the dispossessed islanders, but an … Continue reading Bancoult, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (No 2): HL 22 Oct 2008
Mr Recorder Langstaff QC [2001] UKEAT 1371 – 00 – 2510, EAT/1371/00, [2002] ICR 264 Bailii, EATn England and Wales Citing: See Also – Scotford v Smithkline Beecham EAT 5-Dec-2000 EAT Procedural Issues – Employment Tribunal . . Cited – Mock v Inland Revenue EAT 1-Mar-1999 In the context of the time for appealing to … Continue reading Scotford v Smithkline Beecham: EAT 25 Oct 2001
The claimant appealed against orders striking out his complaint of unlawful racial discrimination. He had owned a nursing home regulated by the respondent authority. A senior white employee had broken regulations regarding safekeeping of drugs, but he as owner had been prosecuted and struck off. She had not. The home registration was then cancelled. He … Continue reading Balamoody v Manchester Health Authority: EAT 2 Mar 1999
COURT (PLENARY) The complainant asserted that his telephone conversation had been tapped on the authority of a warrant signed by the Secretary of State, but that there was no system to supervise such warrants, and that it was not therefore in ‘accordance with law’. The taps were based on a non-binding and unpublished directive from … Continue reading Malone v The United Kingdom: ECHR 2 Aug 1984
The bank challenged measures taken by HM Treasury to restrict access to the United Kingdom’s financial markets by a major Iranian commercial bank, Bank Mellat, on the account of its alleged connection with Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The bank sought to have the direction given under section 7 of the 2008 Act. … Continue reading Bank Mellat v Her Majesty’s Treasury (No 2): SC 19 Jun 2013
EAT Transfer of Undertakings : Service Provision Change – Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (‘TUPE’) Regulation 3(1)(b) – service provision change (‘SPC’) – ‘the client’ The appeal raised a novel point: whether ‘a’ or ‘the’ client, for the purpose of a SPC transfer under Regulation 3(1)(b) was to be understood solely in … Continue reading Ottimo Property Services Ltd v Duncan and Another: EAT 9 Jan 2015
EAT Practice and Procedure : Transfer/Hearing Together – Time for appealing Appeal from Registrar: the time limited by rule 3(3) of the Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules 1993 (‘the EAT Rules’) for serving the documents necessary for the proper institution of an appeal, as provided for by rule 3(3)(1)(a)-(c) of the EAT Rules, started to run … Continue reading Carroll v The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime: EAT 9 Feb 2015
EAT Unfair Dismissal : Reason for Dismissal Including Substantial Other Reason – Having made findings of fact relevant to the wrongful dismissal case before her, the Employment Judge drew on those findings in determining the unfair dismissal claim. In so doing, she substituted her own view as to whether the Claimant was guilty of the … Continue reading Mears Ltd v Brockman: EAT 24 Nov 2014
