Claimant v Secretary of State for Justice
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal found the complaint of constructive unfair dismissal not well-founded after a four-day full merits hearing, concluding the claimant had not established a fundamental breach of contract entitling him to resign.
The tribunal determined the complaint of direct disability discrimination was not well-founded, finding the claimant was not treated less favourably because of disability than a comparator would have been treated.
The tribunal concluded the complaint of indirect disability discrimination was not well-founded, finding either no provision, criterion or practice was identified that put disabled persons at a particular disadvantage, or any such provision was justified.
The tribunal found the complaint of harassment related to disability not well-founded, determining the conduct complained of did not have the purpose or effect of violating the claimant's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
The tribunal determined the complaint of unfavourable treatment because of something arising in consequence of disability was not well-founded, finding either the treatment was not because of something arising from disability or it was a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.
The tribunal found the complaint of failure to make reasonable adjustments for disability not well-founded, concluding the respondent had either made reasonable adjustments or the adjustments sought were not reasonable in the circumstances.
The tribunal determined the complaint of victimisation was not well-founded, finding the claimant had not been subjected to detriment because he had done a protected act under the Equality Act 2010.
Facts
Mr R Jackson brought claims against the Secretary of State for Justice relating to his employment. He alleged constructive unfair dismissal and multiple forms of disability discrimination including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, discrimination arising from disability, failure to make reasonable adjustments, and victimisation. The case was heard over four days at Watford Employment Tribunal in July 2025.
Decision
Employment Judge French dismissed all seven claims brought by the claimant. The tribunal found none of the complaints were well-founded after hearing evidence and submissions over four days. The claimant represented himself while the respondent was represented by counsel.
Practical note
A self-represented claimant failed to establish any of seven separate claims against a government department respondent represented by counsel, demonstrating the challenges faced by litigants in person in complex multi-claim disability discrimination cases.
Case details
- Case number
- 3312625/2022
- Decision date
- 10 July 2025
- Hearing type
- full merits
- Hearing days
- 4
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Name
- Secretary of State for Justice
- Sector
- central government
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No