Claimant v The Chief Constable of South Wales Police
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal has no jurisdiction to hear unfair dismissal complaints from former police officers. Police officers are excluded from unfair dismissal protection under employment legislation.
The claim was presented outside the applicable time limit. The tribunal considered whether it was just and equitable to extend time and concluded it was not appropriate to do so.
Facts
Mr Nawaz, a former police officer with South Wales Police, brought claims for unfair dismissal and failure to make reasonable adjustments related to disability. The case was heard as a preliminary hearing on jurisdictional issues, with the claimant representing himself (though he has an LLB) and the respondent represented by counsel.
Decision
The tribunal dismissed both claims. The unfair dismissal claim was dismissed because tribunals have no jurisdiction to hear such claims from police officers. The disability discrimination claim for failure to make reasonable adjustments was dismissed as out of time, with the tribunal declining to exercise discretion to extend the time limit on just and equitable grounds.
Practical note
Police officers are excluded from unfair dismissal protection and must rely solely on discrimination and whistleblowing claims, with strict adherence to time limits being critical for disability discrimination claims.
Legal authorities cited
Case details
- Case number
- 6019288/2024
- Decision date
- 10 June 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 1
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- public sector
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Employment details
- Role
- Police Officer
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No