Claimant v MatchesFashion Limited (In Administration)
Outcome
Individual claims
MatchesFashion Limited (in administration) failed to adequately comply with the requirement of section 188 of the Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 to inform and consult before collective redundancies. The Joint Administrators consented to the claims proceeding and the tribunal made protective awards by consent.
Facts
MatchesFashion Limited entered administration on 8 March 2024. Multiple employees (235 claimants) were dismissed as redundancies. The employer failed to adequately comply with section 188 TULRCA 1992 requirements to inform and consult with affected employees before collective redundancies. Claims were brought by two groups of claimants initially against both MatchesFashion Limited and MF Bidco Limited, though all claimants were employed only by MatchesFashion. The Joint Administrators consented to the claims proceeding.
Decision
The tribunal made protective awards by consent under section 189 TULRCA 1992. The claim against MF Bidco Limited was dismissed on withdrawal. 207 claimants received protective awards of 90 days' remuneration, while 28 claimants received 60 days' remuneration, all commencing from 8 March 2024. The tribunal made no order as to costs, with each party bearing their own expenses. Recoupment provisions apply.
Practical note
Employers entering administration who fail to comply with collective consultation obligations under TULRCA 1992 remain liable for protective awards which can be substantial in multi-claimant cases, even where administrators consent to claims proceeding.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 1305729/2024
- Decision date
- 24 September 2025
- Hearing type
- default judgment
- Hearing days
- —
- Classification
- default
Respondent
- Sector
- retail
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- in house
Claimant representation
- Represented
- Yes