Claimant v Newport City Council
Outcome
Individual claims
The claim was brought outside the statutory time limit under s111 Employment Rights Act 1996. The tribunal determined it was reasonably practicable for the claimant to have brought the claim in time, and the further period taken to present the claim was not reasonable, therefore the tribunal had no jurisdiction to hear the claim.
Facts
Mr Hewitt brought an unfair dismissal claim against Newport City Council but presented it outside the statutory time limit. This was a preliminary hearing to determine whether the tribunal had jurisdiction to hear the claim. The claimant appeared in person supported by Ms J Lowsley, while the respondent was represented by counsel.
Decision
The tribunal found the claim was out of time under s111 ERA 1996. The tribunal determined it was reasonably practicable for the claimant to have brought the claim in time and that the further period taken to present the claim was not reasonable. The claim therefore failed on jurisdictional grounds.
Practical note
Even with lay support, unrepresented claimants must comply with strict statutory time limits for unfair dismissal claims, and extensions will only be granted where it was not reasonably practicable to claim in time and any further delay was reasonable.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 6005505/2025
- Decision date
- 18 September 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 1
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Name
- Newport City Council
- Sector
- local government
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No