Cases3303698/2024

Claimant v Theobalds Park Op Co Limited (in administration)

23 May 2025Before Employment Judge J ConnollyWatfordin person

Outcome

Claimant succeeds£13,994

Individual claims

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The tribunal found that the first respondent made unauthorised deductions from each claimant's wages during the period 16 October 2023 to 19 November 2023. The respondent failed to attend or defend the claim, and the claimants proved their case.

Holiday Paysucceeded

The tribunal found that the first respondent failed to pay three of the claimants (Miss Job, Mr Georgiou, Mrs Decaro) holiday pay in accordance with regulation 14(2) and/or 16(1) of the Working Time Regulations 1998. The respondent was in administration and had failed to make these payments.

Breach of Contractsucceeded

The tribunal upheld breach of contract claims for two claimants (Miss Job and Mr Georgiou) for failure to provide notice pay. The first respondent failed to give them one week's notice of termination as required, entitling them to damages equivalent to one week's gross pay.

Redundancy Paystruck out

Mrs Didkovska's redundancy payment claim was struck out because she accepted she had not been employed for two years or more prior to termination, which is required by s.155 Employment Rights Act 1996 to have a right to a redundancy payment.

Facts

Five claimants brought claims against their former employer, Theobalds Park Op Co Limited, which had entered administration. The claimants worked for the respondent until approximately 19 November 2023. They claimed unpaid wages for the period 16 October to 19 November 2023, unpaid holiday pay, and notice pay. Neither respondent attended the hearing. The claimants represented themselves and gave evidence in support of their claims.

Decision

The tribunal upheld all claims for unlawful deduction of wages for all five claimants. It also upheld holiday pay claims for three claimants and notice pay claims for two claimants. One claim for redundancy pay was struck out because the claimant lacked the required two years' service. Total awards varied by claimant, with amounts ordered as gross sums against the first respondent.

Practical note

When an employer in administration fails to defend claims, self-represented claimants can successfully prove unpaid wages, holiday pay and notice pay claims if they provide credible evidence, though they must still meet statutory qualifying periods for claims like redundancy pay.

Award breakdown

Notice pay£865
Holiday pay£2,843
Unpaid wages£10,286

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

ERA 1996 s.230(1)ERA 1996 s.230(3)(b)ERA 1996 s.155Working Time Regulations 1998 reg.14(2)Working Time Regulations 1998 reg.16(1)

Case details

Case number
3303698/2024
Decision date
23 May 2025
Hearing type
full merits
Hearing days
2
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
hospitality
Represented
No

Claimant representation

Represented
No