Cases6007387/2025

Claimant v Nationwide Enforcement Services Ltd

18 August 2025Before Employment Judge RaoLondon Eastremote video

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Unlawful Deduction from Wagesstruck out

The tribunal dismissed the claim for lack of jurisdiction as it was presented outside the applicable time limit under section 23 ERA 1996. The time limit expired on 15 March 2024 but the claim was not filed until 4 March 2025. The tribunal found it was reasonably practicable for the claimant to have presented the claim on time and it was not presented within a reasonable period thereafter.

Facts

The claimant brought a complaint of unauthorised deduction from wages against his former employer. The applicable time limit under section 23 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 expired on 15 March 2024. The claimant did not file his claim until 4 March 2025, nearly one year out of time. This was a preliminary hearing to determine whether the tribunal had jurisdiction to hear the claim.

Decision

The tribunal dismissed the claim for lack of jurisdiction. It found that it was reasonably practicable for the claimant to have presented his claim by the deadline of 15 March 2024, and in any event the claim filed on 4 March 2025 was not presented within a reasonable period after the deadline expired.

Practical note

Claimants must file unlawful deduction from wages claims within three months of the deduction (less one day), and substantial delay of nearly a year will result in dismissal where there is no good reason the claim could not have been filed on time.

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

ERA 1996 s.23

Case details

Case number
6007387/2025
Decision date
18 August 2025
Hearing type
preliminary
Hearing days
1
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
professional services
Represented
Yes
Rep type
in house

Claimant representation

Represented
No