Cases1403158/2024

Claimant v Blue Fountain Care LTD

3 March 2025Before Employment Judge J BaxLondon Central

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Unfair Dismissalstruck out

The claimant did not have the required two years of continuous service to bring an unfair dismissal claim under Section 108 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The claimant was employed for less than two years and failed to provide an acceptable reason why the complaint should not be struck out.

Facts

Mr Kweku was employed by Blue Fountain Care Ltd, a healthcare company, for less than two years. He brought a complaint of unfair dismissal, along with other unspecified complaints that remain live. The tribunal was asked to strike out the unfair dismissal claim due to insufficient qualifying service.

Decision

The tribunal struck out the unfair dismissal claim because the claimant lacked the two years' continuous service required by Section 108 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The claimant was given an opportunity to explain why the claim should not be struck out but failed to provide an acceptable reason. The claimant's other complaints were unaffected.

Practical note

Unrepresented claimants often fail to understand the two-year qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal claims, leading to strike-outs for jurisdictional defects.

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

ERA 1996 s.108

Case details

Case number
1403158/2024
Decision date
3 March 2025
Hearing type
strike out
Hearing days
Classification
procedural

Respondent

Sector
healthcare
Represented
No

Claimant representation

Represented
No