Cases3300521/2023

Claimant v National Highways Limited

14 March 2025Before Employment Judge QuillWatfordin person

Outcome

Other

Individual claims

Redundancy Paywithdrawn

Claim was dismissed upon withdrawal. Claimant does not allege that dismissal was by reason of redundancy.

Unfair Dismissalnot determined

Claim was initially out of time but tribunal found it was not reasonably practicable to present in time and it was presented within a further reasonable time. Claim will proceed to full hearing.

Breach of Contractnot determined

Claim was initially out of time but tribunal found it was not reasonably practicable to present in time and it was presented within a further reasonable time. Claim will proceed to full hearing.

Unlawful Deduction from Wagesnot determined

Claim was initially out of time but tribunal found it was not reasonably practicable to present in time and it was presented within a further reasonable time. Claim will proceed to full hearing.

Otherwithdrawn

Complaint regarding alleged refusal to make ex gratia payment was not pursued and was dismissed upon withdrawal.

Facts

Ms Naranjan was employed by National Highways Ltd until her dismissal on 30 June 2022. She did not file her claim by the time limit of 29 September 2022. She brought claims for unfair dismissal, breach of contract, unauthorised deduction from wages, and unspecified Equality Act claims. She also initially brought claims for redundancy payment and regarding an alleged refusal to make an ex gratia payment, but these were withdrawn.

Decision

This was a preliminary hearing on jurisdiction and time limits. The tribunal found that while the claims were out of time, it was not reasonably practicable for the non-discrimination claims to be filed in time and they were filed within a further reasonable period. For the Equality Act claims, the tribunal found it just and equitable to extend time. The unfair dismissal, breach of contract, unlawful deduction and Equality Act claims will proceed to a full hearing.

Practical note

Tribunals retain discretion to extend time limits where it was not reasonably practicable to file in time (for ordinary claims) or where it is just and equitable (for discrimination claims), allowing meritorious claims to proceed despite late filing.

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

Equality Act 2010 s.123(1)(a)Equality Act 2010 s.123(3)

Case details

Case number
3300521/2023
Decision date
14 March 2025
Hearing type
preliminary
Hearing days
1
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
public sector
Represented
Yes
Rep type
barrister

Claimant representation

Represented
No