Claimant v River Island Clothing Co
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal dismissed the claimant's claim of constructive unfair dismissal. The judgment provides no detailed reasoning in this extract, but the claim was dismissed at a preliminary hearing.
The tribunal found that the claimant was not a disabled person in terms of s6 of the Equality Act 2010 during the relevant period (December 2023 to 9 May 2025). Without establishing disability status, the direct discrimination claim could not succeed and was dismissed.
The tribunal found that the claimant was not a disabled person under s6 of the Equality Act 2010 during the relevant period. As disability status is a prerequisite for a reasonable adjustments claim under s20 and s21, the claim was dismissed.
Facts
William Deighan brought claims against River Island Clothing Co for constructive unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. The relevant period for the disability claims was December 2023 to 9 May 2025. At a preliminary hearing conducted remotely, the tribunal heard evidence regarding whether the claimant met the definition of a disabled person under the Equality Act 2010.
Decision
The tribunal dismissed all claims. It found that the claimant was not a disabled person under s.6 of the Equality Act 2010 during the relevant period, which meant the direct discrimination and reasonable adjustments claims could not succeed. The constructive unfair dismissal claim was also dismissed.
Practical note
Establishing disability status under s.6 of the Equality Act 2010 is a threshold issue that must be satisfied before disability discrimination claims can proceed.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 4100923/2025
- Decision date
- 1 September 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 1
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- retail
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No