Cases3313050/2023

Claimant v The Co-operative Group Limited

6 January 2025Before Employment Judge DickWatfordon papers

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Unfair Dismissalstruck out

Claim originally raised but was withdrawn by the claimant at the preliminary hearing on 26 June 2024 before Employment Judge Matthews.

Direct Discrimination(age)struck out

Claim originally raised but was withdrawn by the claimant at the preliminary hearing on 26 June 2024 before Employment Judge Matthews.

Direct Discrimination(race)struck out

Claim originally raised but was withdrawn by the claimant at the preliminary hearing on 26 June 2024 before Employment Judge Matthews.

Direct Discrimination(sex)struck out

Claim originally raised but was withdrawn by the claimant at the preliminary hearing on 26 June 2024 before Employment Judge Matthews.

Discrimination Arising from Disability (s.15)(disability)struck out

Struck out under rule 47 on 6 January 2025 for claimant's non-attendance at hearing, in context of previous non-attendance, poor pleading, and partial non-compliance with tribunal orders. Reconsideration refused.

Failure to Make Reasonable Adjustments(disability)struck out

Struck out under rule 47 on 6 January 2025 for claimant's non-attendance at hearing, in context of previous non-attendance, poor pleading, and partial non-compliance with tribunal orders. Reconsideration refused.

Whistleblowingstruck out

Struck out under rule 47 on 6 January 2025 for claimant's non-attendance at hearing, in context of previous non-attendance, poor pleading, and partial non-compliance with tribunal orders. Reconsideration refused.

Facts

The claimant brought multiple claims including unfair dismissal and discrimination on various grounds, but the claim was poorly pleaded. After missing one hearing in April 2024 (for which he was given the benefit of the doubt), he attended a June hearing where some claims were withdrawn. He then partially failed to comply with case management orders. At a hearing on 6 January 2025 he failed to attend on time, arriving 90 minutes late, and the claim was struck out under rule 47 for non-attendance.

Decision

The tribunal confirmed its decision to dismiss the claims under rule 47, refusing the claimant's application for reconsideration. The judge held that in the context of poor pleading, previous non-attendance, partial non-compliance with orders, and two inconsistent and unsatisfactory explanations for late attendance, it was not in the interests of justice to give the unrepresented claimant another chance to pursue his claim.

Practical note

Tribunals will strike out claims for persistent non-compliance even from litigants in person, particularly where the claimant provides inconsistent and unconvincing explanations for failures to attend hearings.

Case details

Case number
3313050/2023
Decision date
6 January 2025
Hearing type
reconsideration
Hearing days
Classification
procedural

Respondent

Sector
retail
Represented
Yes
Rep type
solicitor

Claimant representation

Represented
No