Cases2410975/2023

Claimant v Axiom Ince Limited (In Administration)

17 June 2024Before Employment Judge K M RossManchesteron papers

Outcome

Default judgment£21,059

Individual claims

Redundancy Paysucceeded

Default judgment under Rule 21. Respondent failed to respond. Tribunal found claimant entitled to statutory redundancy payment based on 13 years' complete service, aged over 41, calculated as 19 x £643 statutory weekly cap.

Breach of Contractsucceeded

Default judgment under Rule 21. Tribunal awarded notice pay for 12 weeks at £713.07 weekly, totalling £8,556.84 gross. Respondent failed to respond to the claim.

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

Default judgment under Rule 21. Tribunal found claimant entitled to unpaid wages for 2 days (2 and 3 October 2023) totalling £285.22. Respondent failed to respond.

Failure to Inform & Consultfailed

Claim under s.189 TULR(C)A 1992 failed because claimant was based at Manchester establishment where less than 20 staff were made redundant. The statutory threshold requires more than 20 staff at one establishment to be made redundant for eligibility for a protective award.

Facts

Mrs McGhee was employed by Axiom Ince Limited for 13 years and was aged over 41. She was made redundant from the Manchester office and her employment ended on or around 3 October 2023. The respondent company entered administration. She was not paid her final two days' wages (2-3 October 2023), notice pay, or redundancy payment. The respondent failed to respond to her tribunal claim.

Decision

The tribunal entered default judgment under Rule 21 in the claimant's favour, awarding statutory redundancy payment of £12,217, 12 weeks' notice pay of £8,556.84, and unpaid wages of £285.22. The claim for failure to inform and consult under s.189 TULR(C)A 1992 failed because fewer than 20 employees were made redundant at the Manchester establishment, below the statutory threshold.

Practical note

Even in default judgment cases, tribunals will properly assess whether statutory thresholds are met, as demonstrated by the dismissal of the collective consultation claim where the establishment-specific redundancy numbers fell below 20.

Award breakdown

Notice pay£8,557
Redundancy pay£12,217
Unpaid wages£285

Award equivalent: 29.5 weeks' gross pay

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

TULR(C)A 1992 s.188TULR(C)A 1992 s.189

Case details

Case number
2410975/2023
Decision date
17 June 2024
Hearing type
rule 21
Hearing days
Classification
default

Respondent

Sector
legal services
Represented
No

Employment details

Salary band
£30,000–£40,000
Service
13 years

Claimant representation

Represented
No