Cases2406949/2024

Claimant v BPS Solicitors Ltd (in creditors voluntary liquidation)

15 September 2025Before Employment Judge Ainscoughon papers

Outcome

Default judgment£4,401

Individual claims

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The tribunal found that the first respondent failed to pay the claimant for 16 days of work at the gross daily rate of £173.08, constituting an unauthorised deduction of wages contrary to section 13 of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

Breach of Contractsucceeded

The tribunal determined that the claimant was entitled to 5 days' statutory notice pay under section 86 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The first respondent failed to pay this notice pay, and the claim was well founded.

Holiday Paysucceeded

The claimant had accrued 4.43 days of untaken annual leave on termination. The first respondent failed to pay for this accrued holiday pay in accordance with regulation 14 of the Working Time Regulations 1998, and the tribunal upheld the claim.

Facts

The claimant was employed by BPS Solicitors Ltd from 1 June 2024 to 22 August 2024 on a salary of £45,000 per annum. The first respondent failed to pay the claimant for 16 days of work, failed to pay statutory notice pay for a 5-day notice period, and failed to pay accrued holiday pay of 4.43 days on termination. The first respondent, now in creditors voluntary liquidation, did not present a response to the claim.

Decision

The tribunal issued a default judgment under Rule 22 in favour of the claimant, finding all claims well founded. The tribunal ordered the first respondent to pay unpaid wages of £2,769.28, notice pay of £865.40, and holiday pay of £766.74, totalling £4,401.42.

Practical note

Default judgments under Rule 22 can be issued on paper where an insolvent respondent fails to respond, with awards limited to clearly calculable contractual and statutory entitlements.

Award breakdown

Notice pay£865
Holiday pay£767
Unpaid wages£2,769

Award equivalent: 5.1 weeks' gross pay

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

ERA 1996 s.13ERA 1996 s.86Working Time Regulations 1998 reg.14

Case details

Case number
2406949/2024
Decision date
15 September 2025
Hearing type
rule 21
Hearing days
Classification
default

Respondent

Sector
legal services
Represented
No

Employment details

Salary band
£40,000–£50,000
Service
3 months

Claimant representation

Represented
No