Claimant v Enotria Winecellars Limited t/a Enotria & Coe
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal heard the unfair dismissal complaint over two days. The claimant did not appear at the hearing despite it proceeding. The tribunal found the complaint was not well-founded and dismissed it.
Facts
The claimant brought a claim alleging unfair dismissal against his former employer, a wine distribution company. The claim also made reference to a job application rejection. A two-day hearing was listed at Watford Employment Tribunal. The claimant made some comments by phone on Day 1 but did not attend the hearing in person and was unrepresented. The respondent was represented by counsel.
Decision
The tribunal dismissed the unfair dismissal complaint, finding it not well-founded. The tribunal also determined that any comments about job application rejection were part of the unfair dismissal allegations rather than a freestanding claim, or alternatively, if it was a separate complaint, it failed because no jurisdictional basis was pleaded under any statute including the Equality Act 2010 or Employment Rights Act 1996.
Practical note
A claimant's failure to attend a full merits hearing, even with brief phone contact on day one, will likely result in dismissal of their claims where the tribunal proceeds in their absence and finds the complaints not well-founded.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 3305285/2024
- Decision date
- 2 September 2025
- Hearing type
- full merits
- Hearing days
- 2
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- retail
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No