Claimant v Advanced Business Software & Solutions Limited
Outcome
Facts
The claimant, Mr Tamm, applied on the morning of a scheduled public preliminary hearing on 22 September 2025 to adjourn the hearing to enable an Estonian interpreter to translate for him. The application was made at 7:37am on the day of the hearing and reiterated during the hearing itself. The respondent, Advanced Business Software & Solutions Limited, was represented by counsel who had prepared for the hearing.
Decision
Employment Judge Dimbylow granted the claimant's adjournment application and adjourned the public preliminary hearing to 8 & 9 December 2025 at 10am. However, the judge also granted the respondent's application for a costs order, ordering the claimant to pay £2,250.00 in costs because the adjournment application was made less than 7 days before the hearing date, which the judge considered just, fair and proportionate.
Practical note
Late adjournment applications made by unrepresented litigants, even when granted, can result in costs orders against them if the tribunal considers it proportionate given the late notice and wasted preparation by the other party.
Case details
- Case number
- 1305629/2024
- Decision date
- 22 September 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 1
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- technology
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No