Claimant v HM Revenue and Customs
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal heard a full merits hearing over four days and unanimously found that the claimant's complaint of direct disability discrimination was not well founded. The tribunal dismissed the claim after hearing evidence from both parties and making findings of fact on the allegations.
The tribunal heard evidence and unanimously concluded that the complaint of discrimination arising from disability under section 15 of the Equality Act 2010 was not well founded. After a four-day hearing, the tribunal determined that the respondent had not discriminated against the claimant on this basis.
The tribunal heard full evidence and unanimously decided that the victimisation complaint was not well founded. Following a four-day hearing, the tribunal found that the claimant had not established that she was subjected to a detriment because she had done a protected act or the respondent believed she had done so.
Facts
Ms. Facey brought disability discrimination claims against HMRC covering direct discrimination, discrimination arising from disability, and victimisation. The case proceeded to a full merits hearing lasting four days at London South Employment Tribunal in a hybrid format. The claimant represented herself while the respondent was represented by counsel.
Decision
After hearing evidence from both parties over four days, the tribunal panel unanimously dismissed all three claims. The tribunal found that none of the complaints of direct disability discrimination, discrimination arising from disability, or victimisation were well founded.
Practical note
Even with a four-day full merits hearing, an unrepresented claimant bringing disability discrimination claims against a well-resourced public sector employer represented by counsel faced significant challenges in establishing her case on the facts.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 2303391/2024
- Decision date
- 31 December 2025
- Hearing type
- full merits
- Hearing days
- 4
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- central government
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No