Cases3308166/2023

Claimant v Qube Qualifications and Development Limited (in Creditors Voluntary Liquidation)

21 July 2025Before Employment Judge Shastri-HurstEast of England

Outcome

Claimant succeeds

Individual claims

Failure to Inform & Consultsucceeded

The tribunal found that the respondent failed to comply with the requirement under s188 of TULR(C)A to inform and consult with employee representatives before making redundancies at the establishment. There was no recognised trade union or appointed or elected employee representatives, and the employer failed to fulfil its consultation obligations.

Facts

The claimant was employed by Qube Qualifications and Development Limited, which went into creditors voluntary liquidation. The employer made redundancies at its establishment at Bee House, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire on or around 28 March 2023. The employer failed to inform and consult with employee representatives as required under s188 TULR(C)A. There was no recognised trade union or appointed or elected employee representatives at the time.

Decision

The tribunal upheld the complaint that the respondent failed to comply with s188 TULR(C)A regarding collective consultation before redundancies. The tribunal made a protective award in favour of the claimant of 90 days remuneration beginning 28 March 2023. The Employment Protection Recoupment Regulations apply to the award.

Practical note

Employers facing collective redundancies must comply with consultation requirements under s188 TULR(C)A or face protective awards of up to 90 days pay, even where the company is in liquidation and the Secretary of State becomes liable for payment.

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

TULR(C)A 1992 s.188TULR(C)A 1992 s.188(1B)TULR(C)A 1992 s.189(3)Employment Protection (Recoupment of Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support) Regulations 1996

Case details

Case number
3308166/2023
Decision date
21 July 2025
Hearing type
full merits
Hearing days
1
Classification
contested

Claimant representation

Represented
No