Claimant v Met Office for and on behalf of the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal heard the complaint of direct discrimination on grounds of disability over four days and found it was not well founded. The complaint was dismissed after full consideration of the evidence.
The tribunal considered the complaint of discrimination arising from disability under section 15 of the Equality Act 2010 and found it was not well founded. The complaint was dismissed.
The complaint of failure to make reasonable adjustments was out of time. The tribunal found it was not just and equitable to extend time and dismissed the complaint for want of jurisdiction.
Facts
Mr Lawford, a self-represented claimant, brought disability discrimination claims against the Met Office. The case was heard over four days in May 2025 before a full tribunal panel. The claims included direct discrimination, discrimination arising from disability, and failure to make reasonable adjustments. Reasons for the judgment were given orally at the hearing.
Decision
The tribunal dismissed all three claims. The direct discrimination and discrimination arising from disability complaints were found not to be well founded on their merits. The reasonable adjustments complaint was dismissed for want of jurisdiction, having been brought out of time with the tribunal declining to extend time on just and equitable grounds.
Practical note
A self-represented claimant in a disability discrimination case must ensure claims are brought within the statutory time limits, as tribunals will not automatically extend time even when considering the just and equitable test.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 6000172/2024
- Decision date
- 9 May 2025
- Hearing type
- full merits
- Hearing days
- 4
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- public sector
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No