Claimant v Oxford City Council
Outcome
Individual claims
The claim was not presented within the applicable time limit and the tribunal found it was reasonably practicable for the claimant to have presented the claim in time. The claim was therefore dismissed.
The claims were presented out of time but the tribunal exercised its discretion to extend time on just and equitable grounds. The claims will proceed to a full merits hearing.
Facts
Leon Hall brought claims of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination against Oxford City Council. Both claims were presented outside the applicable time limits. The case came before the tribunal for a preliminary hearing to determine whether the claims should be permitted to proceed despite being out of time.
Decision
The tribunal dismissed the unfair dismissal claim finding it was reasonably practicable for the claimant to have presented it in time. However, the tribunal exercised its discretion to extend time for the disability discrimination claims on just and equitable grounds, allowing those claims to proceed to a full merits hearing.
Practical note
The tribunal will apply different tests when considering whether to extend time for unfair dismissal claims (reasonably practicable test) versus discrimination claims (just and equitable discretion), with the latter offering greater flexibility to allow late claims to proceed.
Legal authorities cited
Case details
- Case number
- 3302058/2025
- Decision date
- 9 December 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 1
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- public sector
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- union