The appellant had been employed by the Police as a fingerprint officer. She was unfairly dismissed after a wrongful accusation. The tribunal ordered that she be reinstated, but on terms which would not result in her attending court as an expert witness. The EAT had concluded that the Tribunal’s decision to order reinstatement was perverse, … Continue reading McBride v Employment Appeal Tribunal: SCS 25 Jan 2013
The pursuer, living in England was dismissed from a post by the defenders whilst he was working for them in Libya. He claimed unfair dismissal. They said that his employment was not subject to British Law. Held: The employment was governed by UK law. Judges: Lord Osborne, Lord Carloway, Lord Brodie Citations: [2010] ScotCS CSIH … Continue reading Ravat v Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Ltd: SCS 22 Jun 2010
EAT Equal Pay Act – Addendum to principal judgment. Part timers’ claims for membership of pension schemes only made out of time. EAT Equal Pay Act – (no sub-topic). Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Mummery Citations: Times 02-Jul-1996, EAT/6/96, EAT/5/96, [1996] UKEAT 5 – 96 – 2406 Links: EAT, Bailii Statutes: Equal Pay Act 1970 … Continue reading Fletcher and others and Preston and others v Midland Bank Plc and Wolverhampton Healthcare NHS Trust Secretary of State for Health and others: EAT 24 Jun 1996
Re-statement of character of contracts of employment and services and difference. The form of contract is important but not conclusive. It is necessary to look at the terms of the contract as a whole concentrating on the substantive rights and obligations of the parties and decide whether they are more or less strongly indicative of … Continue reading Barnett v Brabyn (Inspector of Taxes): ChD 5 Jul 1996
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
The applicant was a Turkish national resident in Austria. While working there he had paid unemployment insurance contributions. At a stage when he was unemployed he applied for an advance on his pension in the form of emergency assistance. That was available under the material Austrian legislation, but one of the conditions was that the … Continue reading Gaygusuz v Austria: ECHR 16 Sep 1996
A genuine religious belief which supported the use of corporal punishment in schools was not itself either a manifestation of religious belief which required protection under the convention, or a religious and philosophical conviction for the purposes of the right to education provisions of article 2. A religiously founded belief that corporal punishment should be … Continue reading Regina (Williamson and Others) v Secretary of State for Education and Employment: Admn 15 Nov 2001
The Action Group had obtained a declaration that, where an overpayment of benefits had arisen due to a miscalculation by the officers of the Department, any process of recovering the overpayment must be by the Act, and that the Department could not use the law of unjust enrichment. The Department Appealed. Held: The appeal failed. … Continue reading The Child Poverty Action Group v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 8 Dec 2010
Proper Reply Opportunity Required on Deportation (Grand Chamber) The claimant was an Indian citizen who had been granted indefinite leave to remain in this country but whose activities as a Sikh separatist brought him to the notice of the authorities both in India and here. The Home Secretary of the day decided that he should … Continue reading Chahal v The United Kingdom: ECHR 15 Nov 1996
A common law action for wrongful dismissal can at most yield compensation measured by reference to the salary that should have been paid during the contractual period of notice. Lord Reid said: ‘At common law a master is not bound to hear his . .
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Women had taken extended maternity leave, but having followed the procedures, had been unable for illness to return to work on the day they had notified. The employer then asserted that the claimants had resigned. The EAT had confirm that they had not been unfairly dismissed. Held: The legislation provided ‘special protection for the security … Continue reading Kwik Save Stores Limited v Greaves; Crees v Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited: CA 20 Jan 1998
Employee to show company insolvent to claim EAT Insolvent Employer – The onus is on the applicant seeking payment for lost wages from the Secretary of state to establish that the employer company is insolvent. There must be proof of the occurring of an event falling within section 183(3) EAT Insolvency – (no sub-topic) Judges: … Continue reading The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Walden, Kealfreight Ltd: EAT 22 Jul 1999
The Claimant was dismissed on 29 March 2019. He maintained that the dismissal was unfair and contacted ACAS on 25 June 2019. ACAS informed him on 2 August 2019 that his employer did not wish to continue with the conciliation process and a certificate was emailed to him that day. The email was not received … Continue reading Stratford On Avon District Council v Hughes (Jurisdictional /Time Points): EAT 17 Dec 2020
The claimant had been awarded damages for unfair constructive dismissal. The employer appealed an award of damages for the period prior to the acceptance by the employee of the repudiatory breach. Held: Where a claimant’s losses arose before the dismissal actually occurred, she might have a separate claim for damages, but that claim was only … Continue reading GAB Robins (UK) Ltd v Triggs: CA 30 Jan 2008
The claimant school teacher had been dismissed, after a finding that she had assaulted a pupil. She denied the assualt. Held: The School’s appeal against the decision of the EAT to re-instate the claim of unfair dismissal succeeded. The EAT had wrongly substituted its won veiw of the facts for that of the Tribunal. However … Continue reading Clarence High School and Another v Boardman: CA 15 Mar 2013
EAT UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES – Industrial actionFirefighter objects to being asked to ‘act up’ as watch manager but continues to do so under protest – Eventually refuses to do so in the context of official industrial action being taken by colleagues, where refusal to act up forms part of the action called by the … Continue reading Norris and Others v London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority: EAT 8 Mar 2013
EAT VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION – Protected disclosureWhether Claimant may rely on post-termination protected disclosure in ‘whistleblowing’ claim under s.47B Employment Rights Act 1996. He can. Appeal allowed against Employment Tribunal Judgment to the contrary. Judges: Peter Clark J Citations: [2013] UKEAT 0407 – 12 – 2501 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Rights Act 1996 47B Jurisdiction: England … Continue reading Onyango v Berkeley (T/A Berkeley Solicitors): EAT 25 Jan 2013
EAT Maternity Rights and Parental Leave Sex discriminationUnfair dismissal The Tribunal erred in concluding there was a discriminatory dismissal on the grounds that the Claimant had taken maternity leave, contrary to section 3A of the SDA, section 99 of the 1996 Act and paragraph 20 of MAPLE, when in the light of the Tribunal’s own … Continue reading SG Petch Ltd v English-Stewart: EAT 31 Oct 2012
Appeal against dismissal of claim of unauthorised deduction from wages. Judges: Sir Igor Judge P, Moore-Bick LJ, Sir Peter Gibson Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 714 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Rights Act 1996 13 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Camden Primary Care Trust v Atchoe EAT 22-Aug-2006 EAT Unlawful Deduction from Wages – … Continue reading Camden Primary Care Trust v Atchoe: CA 9 May 2007
Casual workers employed under ‘nil hours’ relationship still had a contract of employment and the appropriate and associated rights. A court was fully able to determine the terms of the contract. Citations: Times 02-Apr-1998, Gazette 13-May-1998, [1997] EWCA Civ 871, [1999] ICR 1226, [1998] EWCA Civ 558, [2000] IRLR 43 Statutes: Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act … Continue reading Carmichael and Lesse v National Power Plc: CA 29 Jan 1997
The employee had patented in the US a trading system he invented whilst employed by the defendant, who now sought ownership. He appealed a finding that the inventions had been made during the normal course of his employment. The employment contract provided: ‘All trade secrets, inventions, written documents, and other confidential information developed or created … Continue reading Liffe Administration and Management v Pinkava and Another: CA 15 Mar 2007
The claimant challenged dismissal of his claim of having suffered an unfair detriment having made a disclosure with regard to his employers. The employers had said that as a constable, his employment was outside the scope of the Act, and the decision of the Police disciplinary Board could not found his claim. Held: the paragraph … Continue reading Lake v British Transport Police: CA 5 May 2007
The court considered the liability of insurers of companies now wound up for mesothelioma injuries suffered by former employees of those companies, and in particular whether the 1930 Act could be used to impose liability. The insurers now appealed against findings that some policies, those which insured against injury ‘sustained’ during the policy period, as … Continue reading Employers’ Liability Insurance ‘Trigger’ Litigation: BAI (Run Off) Ltd v Durham and Others: SC 28 Mar 2012
EAT NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE ACT 1998 National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999, Reg. 2(2)Unauthorised deductions from wages All three Claimants were foreign domestic workers employed in the Respondents’ households. The EAT held that the work done by each of the three Claimants for their respective employers was work to which regulation 2(2) of the National Minimum … Continue reading Udin v Chamsi-Pasha and Others: EAT 8 Dec 2011
EAT VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATIONWhistleblowingProtected disclosureThe Employment Tribunal clearly found the Claimant was dismissed fairly by reason of redundancy. That finding meant that the claim that he was dismissed for whistleblowing failed. There was no error of law.It is reasonably arguable that the claim of per-employment detriments which failed as a matter of construction of Employment Rights … Continue reading Hinton v Argos Ltd: EAT 7 Oct 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 alleged that she had been discrimated against in her work for the appellant, a member of the diplomatic staff at the Saudi Embassy in London. She now appealed against a decision that the respondent had diplomatic immunity. Held: The appeal was allowed: ‘the question whether the exception in article 31(1)(c) would have applied … Continue reading Reyes v Al-Malki and Another: SC 18 Oct 2017
EAT JURISDICTIONAL POINTS Worker, employee or neither Agency relationships The Claimants were not employees of Respondent 4, on its insolvency the Secretary of State had no liability to them under s.182-188 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Judges: Serota QC J Citations: [2011] UKEAT 0571 – 10 – 1705 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Rights Act … Continue reading The Secretary of State for Business Innovations and Skills v Studders and Others: EAT 17 May 2011
Lord Cairns said: ‘A reason for the dismissal of an employee is a set of facts known to the employer, or it may be of beliefs held by him, which cause him to dismiss the employee. If at the time of his dismissal the employer gives a reason for it, that is no doubt evidence, … Continue reading Abernethy v Mott Hay and Anderson: CA 1974
The claimant appealed refusal to award damages after an alleged failure to give a proper reference, saying that the decision in Fadipe could not stand with the later decision in Rhys-Harper. She said that she had suffered victimisation after making a protected disclosure, but after having left the company. The company said that the Act … Continue reading Woodward v Abbey National Plc: CA 22 Jun 2006
Grand Chamber – The first applicant said he had been injured by a shot fired by a British soldier who had been carried for two miles into the Republic of Ireland, clinging to the applicant’s vehicle following an incident at a checkpoint. Held: Rules granting the State immunities, did not infringe the applicants’ right to … Continue reading McElhinney v Ireland; Al-Adsani v United Kingdom; Fogarty v United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Nov 2001
EAT REDUNDANCYThere was no error in the application of s221 and Gilbert to the calculation of the Claimant’s redundancy payment. Judges: McMullen QC J Citations: [2010] UKEAT 0767 – 10 – 1412 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Rights Act 1996 221 Employment Updated: 01 September 2022; Ref: scu.428719
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL Reasonableness of dismissal S.98A(2) ERA Claimant dismissed for gross misconduct. Employment Tribunal found unfair dismissal but (a) placed the burden of proof on the Respondent instead of applying a neutral burden of proof. It also misunderstood s.98A(2) ERA 1996; failed to make a Polkey finding; failed to make a finding on contributory … Continue reading Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd v Marks: EAT 23 Nov 2010
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Reasonableness of dismissal CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT – Wrongful dismissalEmployment Tribunal found Claimant guilty of serious misconduct for which dismissal fell within the range of reasonable responses; but that it did not amount to gross misconduct therefore the dismissal was unfair. Applying s98(4) Employment Rights Act 1996, finding of unfair dismissal was … Continue reading Weston Recovery Services v Fisher: EAT 7 Oct 2010
EAT STATUTORY DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES:IMPACT ON COMPENSATIONThe Employment Tribunal took an irrelevant consideration into account when making an uplift under s31(3) of the Employment Rights Act 2002 and reducing a basic award under s112(5) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 when it took account of the death of the employer’s wife two years before … Continue reading Drewett v Penfold: EAT 7 Dec 2009
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
The employer was in financial difficulties. A new company was formed by a customer to acquire its assets, and the employees, including the claimant were taken on by the new company. The claimant was dismissed within a year after. On claiming unfair dismissal, the new company said that he had no continuity of employment from … Continue reading Oakland v Wellswood (Yorkshire) Ltd: CA 30 Jul 2009
EAT VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION: Whistleblowing / Protected disclosure Employment Tribunal did not go beyond the remit directed by the Employment Appeal Tribunal in further considering the Claimant’s claims after remission to it further consideration by the Employment Appeal Tribunal. Citations: [2008] UKEAT 0088 – 08 – 2005 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also … Continue reading Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council v Scanlon: EAT 20 May 2008
EAT Jurisdictional Points
EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE: Bias, misconduct and procedural irregularityUNFAIR DISMISSAL: Reasonableness of dismissalAppeal allowed. The Tribunal erred in law in its approach to the questions to be determined for the purposes of section 98(4) of the Employment Rights Act 1996, effectively substituting its own views. The Tribunal did not, however, evince apparent bias. Citations: [2009] … Continue reading Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc v Wilson: EAT 24 Jun 2009
EAT VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION: Whistleblowing Appellant raised concerns with employer about immigration status of staff and students, and other alleged irregularities – Dismissed shortly afterwards – Claim of ‘ordinary’ unfair dismissal but also of detriment and dismissal for making a protected disclosure contrary to ss 47B and 103A of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Held: (1) … Continue reading El-Megrisi v Azad University (Ir) In Oxford: EAT 5 May 2009
EAT Unfair dismissal – Constructive dismissal – Dismissal/ambiguous resignation – Reason for dismissal including substantial other reason – Automatically unfair reasonsDismissal or resignation. The interpretation of s.57A ERA 1996. Mistaken belief employee had resigned when may in fact have been a fair reason for dismissal. 1-2 months off work to care for dependants – held … Continue reading Cortest Ltd v O’Toole: EAT 7 Nov 2007
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
EAT JURISDICTIONAL POINTS: 2002 Act and pre-action requirements Claim for detriment under section 48 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 does require a grievance letter to launch proceedings. Schedule 2, paragraph 15, Employment Act 2002 only applies to the protected disclosures provision in Part 4A of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Citations: [2008] UKEAT 0274 … Continue reading Waite v South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust: EAT 17 Oct 2008
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL: Dismissal/ambiguous resignation 1. The claimant handed in a letter of resignation to the respondents and he was then given a period of about 30 minutes to reconsider his decision. 2. He confirmed that he wished to resign but he later sought to change his mind. 3. The claimant claimed that he had … Continue reading Ali v Birmingham City Council: EAT 27 Oct 2008
EAT CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT: Whether established Tribunal Chairman correct not to imply contract between agency worker and end user. Judges: Elias P Citations: [2008] UKEAT 0132 – 08 – 2608 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Rights Act 1996 Cited by: Appeal from – Muschett v HM Prison Service CA 2-Feb-2010 The claimant had been employed through … Continue reading Muschett v HM Prison Service: EAT 26 Aug 2008
The defendant signed an employment contract to join the claimants as a senior broker. He changed his mind and decided to stay in his existing job. The new employers sued for breach of contract. The defendant said that the claimants had refused to indemnify him should his employers claim under a restrictive covenant. He had … Continue reading Tullett Prebon Group Ltd v El-Hajjali: QBD 31 Jul 2008
EAT VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION – Protected disclosureDismissal for making a protected disclosure Employment Tribunal decision upheld. Suffering a detriment for the same reason. Employment Tribunal decision inadequate and committed to a different decision for determination. Judges: Wilkie J Citations: [2008] UKEAT 0094 – 08 – 1605 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Rights Act 1996 47B 103(A) Jurisdiction: … Continue reading Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd v Glencross: EAT 16 May 2008
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL: Reasonableness of dismissal JURISDICTIONAL POINTS: 2002 Act and pre-action requirements The majority judgment of the Employment Tribunal that the Respondent dismissed the Claimant unfairly in breach of the EADR 2004, Steps 1 and 2(ii)(b), and if necessary, Employment Rights Act 1996 s98(4), was set aside. It was made without explanation as to … Continue reading London United Busways Ltd v Salim: EAT 30 May 2008
The appellant had employed the three claimants in his medical surgery, but they claimed automatic unfair dismissal when the practice closed on his suspension from practice and the statutory procedures were followed but not to the procedural standard, alleging unreasonable delay in the appeals. Held: The employer’s appeal succeeded. The employees’ appeals failed. There was … Continue reading Selvarajan v Wilmot and others: CA 23 Jul 2008
Unfair dismissal – reasonableness of dismissal – section 98(4) Employment Rights Act 1996 The Claimant was a teacher employed by the Respondent who had an unblemished career until it was alleged that he had acted inappropriately by grabbing a pupil (pupil A), pushing him against a wall and putting his fingers to the pupil’s throat. … Continue reading Hargreaves v Manchester Grammar School: EAT 11 Jun 2018
EAT Practice and Procedure – 2002 Act and Pre-action Requirements Unfair Dismissal – Constructive Dismissal On 14 October 2004 the Claimant claimed constructive unfair dismissal arising out of four acts of the Respondent. No grievance pursuant to the 2004 Regulations had been presented. The Employment Tribunal allowed the case to proceed at a pre-hearing review … Continue reading Cyprus Airways Ltd v Lambrou: EAT 1 May 2007
The claimants had been detained under the 1971 Act, after completing sentences of imprisonment pending their return to their home countries under deportations recommended by the judges at trial, or chosen by the respondent. They challenged as unlawful the respondent’s, at first unpublished, policy introduced in 2006, that by default, those awaiting deportation should be … Continue reading Lumba (WL) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 23 Mar 2011
EAT Practice and Procedure: No case to Answer and Public Interest Disclosure:The Employment Tribunal erred in acceding to a half-time submission of no case made in a whistle-blowing claim. Whistle-blowing is a form of discrimination claim (see Lucas v Chichester UKEAT/0713/04) and it should normally be heard in full: Logan v The Commissioners of Customs … Continue reading Boulding v Land Securities Trillium (Media Services) Ltd: EAT 3 May 2006
The employer appealed against findings of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. The employee worked in IT. He was profoundly deaf, but could lip read and read sign language. He had been accused of obtaining improper access to a senior staff member’s emails. During the disciplinary hearing, he had been assisted by an interpreter for part … Continue reading Taylor v OCS Group Ltd: CA 31 May 2006
The claimant had been employed as an IT teacher. He was disciplined for testing the school’s computer system and revealing that it was open to abuse by hackers. He complained that this had been a qualifying protected disclosure under the 1996 Act. The claimant now sought leave to appeal. Held: Leave was granted. The single … Continue reading Bolton School v Evans: CA 9 May 2006
The claimant sought to establish that as a male employee, he had suffered sex discrimination in that he lost rights to redundancy pay after the age of retirement where a woman might not. Held: The appeal was dismised. There were very few people affected by the provisions, and provisions were on their face non-dicriminatory. Was … Continue reading Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Rutherford and others: HL 3 May 2006
The reason adduced by the union for the dismissal of the climant was found by the Tribunal on the facts not to be the true reason for dismissal, the true reason being the union executive committee’s political antipathy to Mr Brady. Held: It was highly arguable that a finding that disciplinary proceedings had been commenced … Continue reading Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen v Brady: EAT 31 Mar 2006
EAT Unfair Dismissal – Compensation Judges: Rimer J Citations: UKEAT/0422/04, [2004] UKEAT 0422 – 04 – 1711 Links: Bailii Statutes: Employment Rights Act 1996 98 Employment Updated: 01 July 2022; Ref: scu.228663
EAT Unfair Dismissal When an employee is dismissed and then reinstated on an internal appeal it is open to the parties to agree reinstatement as a matter of contract and such an arrangement albeit made after the gap in the continuity of employment, fills in the gap for the purposes of section 212 of the … Continue reading London Probation Board v Kirkpatrick: EAT 7 Jan 2005
The Tribunal had given credit for the full amount of incapacity benefit which the employee had received during the notice period. He appealed on the grounds that it ought not to have done so. There was a conflict of authority on the point in the Tribunal. Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Burton Citations: [2005] UKEAT … Continue reading Morgans v Alpha Plus Security Ltd: EAT 17 Jan 2005
The claimant suffered back pain for which she required neurosurgery. The operation was associated with a 1-2% risk of the cauda equina syndrome, of which she was not warned. She went ahead with the surgery, and suffered that complication. The evidence established that cauda equina syndrome was a random and inherent risk of the surgery, … Continue reading Chester v Afshar: HL 14 Oct 2004
The tribunal set out the test for whether a dismissal was for redundancy: ‘Free of authority, we understand the statutory framework . . involve a three-stage process: (1) was the employee dismissed: If so, (2) had the requirements of the employer’s business for employees to carry out work of a particular kind ceased or diminished, … Continue reading Safeway Stores Plc v Burrell: EAT 24 Jan 1997
The respondent resisted a claim of unfair dismissal and race discrimination on the basis that the employment contract was illegal since the claimant was an immigrant and unable to work without a work permit. Held: The Court of Appeal upheld a defence of illegality to a teacher’s complaint against a school of unlawful discrimination by … Continue reading V v Addey and Stanhope School: CA 30 Jul 2004
The claimant sought damages following his dismissal to include a sum to reflect the manner of his dismissal and the distress caused. Held: The remarks of Lord Hoffmann in Johnson -v- Unysis were obiter. The court could not, under the section, include any element for a non-financial loss, such as injury to feelings arising from … Continue reading Dunnachie v Kingston-upon-Hull City Council: HL 15 Jul 2004
The employee had been dismissed. Her contractual notice period was longer than the statutory period. Held: The statutory notice period prevailed in calculating the date of dismissal. The contractual period could not be used to extend the total period of employment to allow a claim for loss of the right to claim unfair dismissal. Had … Continue reading Sally Harper v Virgin Net Limited: CA 10 Mar 2004
The applicant had been employed to provide services to RAF in the Ascension Islands. He alleged constructive dismissal. There was an issue as to whether somebody working in the Ascension Islands was protected by the 1996 Act. The restriction on jurisdiction in s196 had been removed. The question now was as to what test applied … Continue reading Serco Ltd v Lawson and Foreign and Commonwealth Office: CA 23 Jan 2004
EAT Judge McMullen QC adopted a limited view of the scope of the new principle of stable employment set out at the ECJ and HL. He thought it was intended ‘to rescue employees who do not have a permanent job’; and that it was confined to cases of the kind considered by the ECJ, that … Continue reading Preston and others v Wolverhampton Healthcare NHS Trust and others: EAT 3 Nov 2003
The appellants were journalists and other workers, and members of trades unions. Their employers had de-recognised the unions, paying sums to buy out those rights. The claimants had not surrendered their rights, and had been paid less because of it. Held: The Act did not protect the employees rights of association as guaranteed by article … Continue reading Wilson and NUJ, Palmer, Wyeth and RMT, Doolan and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 2 Jul 2002
The complainant appealed a decision that she had not been constructively dismissed. She had been told off in public, causing her great distress. The tribunal had found the employer’s behaviour regrettable but not such as to break the duty of trust and confidence. It was argued that any breach of that duty must go to … Continue reading Morrow v Safeway Stores Plc: EAT 21 Sep 2000
The claimants sought damages against the defendants for their late delivery of a building. The contractors sought to share the damages with the architects who had certified the delays, defeating their own claims. Held: The Act sought to extend the circumstances under which contributions could be sought, but their claim against the architects were of … Continue reading Royal Brompton Hospital National Health Service Trust v Hammond and others: HL 25 Apr 2002
The employers appealed against findings that employees could claim constructive dismissal on a transfer of an undertaking simply because of a change in the employment conditions after the transfer. Held: Neither the Regulations nor the Act created a new right beyond the preservation of existing rights. To found a case for constructive dismissal, the employee … Continue reading Rossiter v Pendragon plc; Clarke v Air Foyle Ltd: CA 10 May 2002
The claimants sought a declaration that part of the Regulations were invalid, and an infringement of their human rights. The Regulations sought to exempt church schools from an obligation not to discriminate against homosexual teachers. Held: The Regulation was within the scope of the Directive. Though a member state had some freedom in implementing a … Continue reading Regina (Amicus etc) v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: Admn 26 Apr 2004
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
The Tribunal had been entitled to find on the evidence that an employee unfairly dismissed by reason of sex would have been fairly dismissed for misconduct six months later in any event because of her antagonistic and intransigent attitude. The court considered whether damages for unfair dismissal could include an element of compensation for injured … Continue reading O’Donoghue v Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council: CA 17 May 2001
The claimant appealed after her claim for sex discrimination had failed. She had been dismissed from her position an associate minister of the church. The court had found that it had no jurisdiction, saying that her appointment was not an employment. However the jurisdiction in sex discrimination cases was wider, extending to those who ‘contract … Continue reading Percy v Church of Scotland Board of National Mission: HL 15 Dec 2005
Exemplary Damages Award in Defamation The plaintiff had been awarded damages for defamation. The defendants pleaded justification. Before the trial the plaintiff gave notice that he wanted additional, exemplary, damages. The trial judge said that such a claim had to have been pleaded. The Court of Appeal had considered Rookes -v- Barnard to have been … Continue reading Cassell and Co Ltd v Broome and Another: HL 23 Feb 1972
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
The Claimant, who was employed by the respondent as Area Manager for the Leicester Area, agreed to move to a new position as Area Manager for Nottingham and was told that he would receive an increased salary to reflect the greater responsibilities in that role. The Claimant and Respondent failed to agree the increased salary … Continue reading Abellio East Midlands Ltd v Thomas (Unlawful Deduction From Wages): EAT 28 Jan 2022
Presumption of Damage in Defamation is rebuttable The defendant complained that the presumption in English law that the victim of a libel had suffered damage was incompatible with his right to a fair trial. They said the statements complained of were repetitions of statements made by US authorities. The claimant had asserted that no more … Continue reading Dow Jones and Co Inc v Jameel: CA 3 Feb 2005
Appeal against the unanimous decision of an Industrial Tribunal held at Reading which upheld Mr Porter’s complaint that the Respondents, his former employers, had made unlawful deductions from his wages and that he was entitled to pounds 1,831.71 by way of reimbursement under the Employment Rights Act 1996. Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Morison (P) … Continue reading Sphikas and Son v Porter: EAT 3 Mar 1997
UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Constructive dismissal The Appellant was dismissed with notice on the ground of capability arising from long-term medical absence. His claim for unfair dismissal was dismissed by the Employment Tribunal after a Full Hearing in 2014. The Employment Appeal Tribunal in 2016 concluded that, in its consideration of the reasonableness of the decision … Continue reading Fox v British Airways Plc: EAT 20 Nov 2017
The respondent in the employment tribunal operated the Mytaxi App. From 2014 the claimant worked full time in business on his own account as a black-cab (Hackney Carriage) driver in London. In February 2017 he downloaded the driver version of the respondent’s App. Apart from the odd trip in April he did not start to … Continue reading Johnson v Transopco Uk Ltd (Worker Status): EAT 18 Jan 2022
EAT Unlawful Deduction From Wages – CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT – Implied term/variation/construction of term For the purpose of resolving a dispute under Part II of the Employment Rights Act 1996 as to whether there has been an unlawful deduction from wages the ET is entitled to determine issues relating to the construction of the contract … Continue reading Weatherilt v Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd: EAT 25 Apr 2017
EAT Unfair Dismissal: Constructive Dismissal – RACE DISCRIMINATION – Direct UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES Constructive dismissal – section 95(1)(c) Employment Rights Act 1996 – whether breach of the implied term – Malik and Anor v BCCI SA [1997] ICR 606 HL Race discrimination – sections 13(1), 23 and 136(2) Equality Act 2010 – direct discrimination … Continue reading Sharfudeen v T J Morris Ltd T/A Home Bargains: EAT 3 Mar 2017
Smartphone App Contractors did so as Workers The court was asked whether the employment tribunal was entitled to find that drivers whose work was arranged through Uber’s smartphone application work for Uber under workers’ contracts and so qualify for the national minimum wage, paid annual leave and other workers’ rights; or whether, as Uber contended, … Continue reading Uber Bv and Others v Aslam and Others: SC 19 Feb 2021
The 1987 Regulations provided additional benefits for disabled persons, but excluded from benefit those who had nowhere to sleep. The claimant said this was irrational. He had been receiving the disability premium to his benefits, but this was cancelled when he lost his home. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The disabilty premium, as part of … Continue reading RJM, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: HL 22 Oct 2008
ECJ Unfair Dismissal: Reinstatement/Re-Engagement – Unfair dismissal – remedy – re-engagement – section 116 Employment Rights Act 1996 The Claimant was a long-serving Staff Nurse employed by the Respondent in AandE. During the course of a particularly stressful overnight shift, she had administered medication to four patients without prior prescription by a doctor and failed … Continue reading United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v Farren: EAT 14 Nov 2016
EAT Unfair Dismissal: Reasonableness of Dismissal – Unfair dismissal – conduct dismissal taking into account previous final written warning – fairness of dismissal – section 98(4) Employment Rights Act 1996 The Claimant had been dismissed by reason of his conduct in making a false computer submission taken together with an extant final written warning for … Continue reading Perrys Motor Sales Ltd v Edwards: EAT 11 Nov 2016
EAT Unfair Dismissal : Reasonableness of Dismissal – Unfair dismissal – fairness of decision to dismiss – section 98(4) Employment Rights Act 1996 The Claimant was a long-serving Healthcare Assistant who had been the subject of allegations by a patient, relating to a particular night-shift, when it was said she – and at least one … Continue reading Tykocki v Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals: EAT 17 Oct 2016
EAT Unfair Dismissal: Reasonableness of Dismissal – Unfair dismissal – fairness of dismissal – Employment Rights Act 1996, section 98(4) – The Claimant, a maritime security officer, was dismissed for some other substantial reason, namely pressure for his removal for working for a specific client. The ET did not consider the Respondent – a protected … Continue reading Scott v EC Maritime PCC Ltd (Debarred): EAT 10 Oct 2016
The claimants, Uber taxi service contractors, claimed to be ‘workers’ with associated employment rights. Held: They were such. [2016] EW Misc B68 (ET) Bailii, Reasons Employment Rights Act 1996 230(3)(b), Working Time Regulations 1998 36(1), National Minimum Wage Act 1998 England and Wales Employment Updated: 25 January 2022; Ref: scu.571017
The claimants had been brought here illegally to act as servants for the defendants. They were taken advantage of and abused. They made several claims, but now appealed against rejection of their claims for discrimination. The court was asked whether discrimination because of, or on grounds of, immigration status amounts to discrimination because of, or … Continue reading Taiwo and Another v Olaigbe and Others: SC 22 Jun 2016
The asylum applicant challenged a certificate given by the respondent that the claim for asylum was manifestly ill-founded. The respondent had made a mistake in applying the appropriate policy, but had sought to correct the error. The claimants asserted that a legitimate expectation had been created. Held: The abiding principle which underpins the legitimate expectation … Continue reading Regina (Nadarajah) v Secretary of State for the Home Department; Abdi v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 22 Nov 2005
(Northern Ireland) The deceased solicitor was murdered in his home in 1989, allegedly by loyalists. They had never been identified, though collusion between security forces and a loyalist paramilitary was established. The ECHR and a judge led inquiry had said that a proper investigation was required. A promised inquiry under the 2005 Act was objected … Continue reading Finucane, Re Application for Judicial Review: SC 27 Feb 2019
There had been a purported marriage in 1963 between a man and a male to female trans-sexual. Held: Because marriage is essentially a union between a man and a woman, the relationship depended on sex, and not on gender. The law should adopt the chromosomal, gonadal and genital tests. If all three are congruent, that … Continue reading Corbett v Corbett (otherwise Ashley): FD 1 Feb 1970
EAT Jurisdictional Points: Continuity of Employment Continuity of employment – Sections 210(5) and 218(6) Employment Rights Act 1996 (‘ERA’) In circumstances involving a change of employer, the Employment Tribunal (‘the ET’) had been wrong to consider that the presumption of continuity of employment provided by section 210(5) ERA applied (section 218(1) ERA). That did not, … Continue reading Schwarzenbach (T/A Thames-Side Court Estate v Jones: EAT 4 Sep 2015
The two applicants were serving life sentences for murder. Each sought damages for the unlawful withdrawal of their rights to vote in elections, and the failure of the British parliament to take steps to comply with the judgment. Held: The appeals failed.Lord Mance summarised the reasons for his conclusions: ‘(A) Human Rights Act In respect … Continue reading Chester, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 16 Oct 2013
EAT Unfair Dismissal – HUMAN RIGHTS – WORKING OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION – An employee of a bank made allegations of financial malpractice, and was dismissed. He was Italian, and both lived and worked in Singapore. The contract under which he worked was subject to Singaporean law. The only connection his case had with the UK … Continue reading Smania v Standard Chartered Bank: EAT 5 Dec 2014
