Cases6015075/2024

Claimant v Malmaison Hotel Du Vin Exeter

6 June 2025Before Employment Judge MidgleySouth West

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Unfair Dismissalstruck out

The claimant was employed for less than two years and therefore does not meet the qualifying period requirement under section 108 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The claimant failed to provide an acceptable reason why the complaint should not be struck out.

Direct Discrimination(race)not determined

The judgment notes that the claimant will still be able to argue that his dismissal was an act of race discrimination and that such a claim is unaffected by the dismissal of the unfair dismissal claim. This claim remains live.

Facts

Mr Trecha was employed by Malmaison Hotel Du Vin Exeter for less than two years. He brought claims including unfair dismissal and race discrimination. The tribunal held a strike-out hearing to determine whether the unfair dismissal claim could proceed given his short service.

Decision

The tribunal struck out the unfair dismissal claim because the claimant did not meet the two-year qualifying period required by section 108 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The claimant failed to provide an acceptable reason why the complaint should not be struck out. The tribunal confirmed that other claims, including the race discrimination claim, remain unaffected.

Practical note

Unfair dismissal claims require two years' continuous employment, but discrimination claims (such as race discrimination relating to dismissal) have no such qualifying period and can proceed regardless of length of service.

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

Employment Rights Act 1996 s.108

Case details

Case number
6015075/2024
Decision date
6 June 2025
Hearing type
strike out
Hearing days
1
Classification
procedural

Respondent

Sector
hospitality
Represented
No

Employment details

Service
2 years

Claimant representation

Represented
No