Cases6015848/2024

Claimant v Blackswan Technologies AI Ltd

Outcome

Claimant succeeds£80,150

Individual claims

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The tribunal found that the respondent failed to pay the claimant's salary in full from July 2023, with only partial payments from July 2023 to March 2024 and no payments at all from April 2024 to April 2025. The respondent did not appear to contest the claim.

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The tribunal found that the respondent failed to make employer pension contributions from October 2023 to May 2025 (and also for May 2023), constituting an unlawful deduction from the claimant's wages.

Breach of Contractsucceeded

The tribunal awarded consequential losses arising from the claimant being forced to sell shares due to lack of salary payments, and also unpaid corporate expenses for laptop delivery, both constituting breaches of contract by the respondent.

Facts

Mr Johansson was employed by Blackswan Technologies AI Ltd. From July 2023, his salary was only partially paid for 9 months, and from April 2024 to April 2025 he received no salary payments at all. The respondent also failed to make employer pension contributions from October 2023 onwards. The claimant was forced to sell shares due to lack of income and incurred unreimbursed expenses for laptop delivery. The respondent did not appear at the hearing.

Decision

Employment Judge Liz Ord found all complaints well-founded and ordered the respondent to pay £80,149.62 comprising unpaid net salary, unpaid employer pension contributions, consequential losses from forced share sales, and unreimbursed expenses. The respondent's non-appearance meant the claims were uncontested.

Practical note

Employers who fail to pay salary and pension contributions for extended periods face substantial liability including consequential losses suffered by employees, even when those employees remain technically employed.

Award breakdown

Arrears of pay£65,443
Pension loss£12,320

Case details

Case number
6015848/2024
Decision date
2 May 2025
Hearing type
full merits
Hearing days
1
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
technology
Represented
No

Claimant representation

Represented
No