Cases3201133/2024

Claimant v JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. – London Branch

31 October 2025Before Employment Judge BarrettEast Londonremote video

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Direct Discrimination(disability)struck out

Claim struck out because the Claimant engaged in dual employment which undermined the factual basis of her complaints about workload and hours. Her conduct of proceedings was scandalous and unreasonable, including making untrue representations and forging medical documents, making a fair trial impossible.

Harassment(disability)struck out

Claim struck out because the Claimant engaged in dual employment which undermined the factual basis of her complaints about workload and hours. Her conduct of proceedings was scandalous and unreasonable, including making untrue representations and forging medical documents, making a fair trial impossible.

Direct Discrimination(race)struck out

Claim struck out because the Claimant engaged in dual employment which undermined the factual basis of her complaints. Her conduct of proceedings was scandalous and unreasonable, including making untrue representations and forging medical documents, making a fair trial impossible.

Direct Discrimination(pregnancy)struck out

Amendment application was to be considered at the strike out hearing but claim was struck out entirely. The Claimant alleged her dismissal in December 2024 was pregnancy discrimination but the tribunal found she was dismissed for gross misconduct including dual employment.

Facts

The Claimant worked as Senior Counsel for the Respondent bank from April 2022 to December 2024 and brought claims of race and disability discrimination. The Respondent discovered the Claimant had simultaneously been working full-time for another company (StatPro) from November 2022. Following a disciplinary investigation which also revealed she had misrepresented her qualifications, the Claimant was dismissed for gross misconduct in December 2024. The Claimant denied dual employment, claiming identity fraud, but did not comply with disclosure orders. The tribunal found she had forged medical letters both to the employer and to the tribunal to obtain adjournments.

Decision

The tribunal struck out the claim entirely. It found the claim was scandalous and vexatious as it was based on the false premise of singular employment. The Claimant's conduct of proceedings was scandalous, unreasonable and vexatious, including making untrue representations and forging medical documents. A fair trial was impossible due to compromised credibility, unreliable medical evidence, and the disproportionate use of tribunal resources. Strike out was a proportionate response despite being draconian.

Practical note

Fundamental dishonesty in the conduct of proceedings, including forging medical evidence and making false representations to the tribunal, will result in strike out even in discrimination cases, as a litigant who abuses the tribunal process forfeits their right to adjudication.

Legal authorities cited

HM Prison Service v Dalby [2003] IRLR 694Hasan v Tesco Stores Ltd UKEAT/0098/16Blockbuster Entertainment Ltd v James [2006] IRLR 630Bolch v Chipman [2004] IRLR 140De Keyser Ltd v Wilson [2001] IRLR 324Arrow Nominees Inc v Blackledge [2000] CP Rep 59Masood v Zahoor [2010] 1 WLR 746Sud v The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Hounslow UKEATPA/0182/14Emuemukoro v Croma Vigilant (Scotland) Ltd [2022] ICR 327Xie v e'quipe Japan Ltd [2025] ICR 417

Statutes

Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024 r.47Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024 r.38

Case details

Case number
3201133/2024
Decision date
31 October 2025
Hearing type
strike out
Hearing days
2
Classification
procedural

Respondent

Sector
financial services
Represented
Yes
Rep type
barrister

Employment details

Role
Senior Counsel in Corporate Legal
Service
3 years

Claimant representation

Represented
No