Dr G Jones v Development Bank of Wales HELD AT: Wrexham (by CVP) — 2025

At a reserved preliminary hearing, the tribunal considered only whether Dr G Jones was a disabled person during his employment with Development Bank of Wales between 3 January 2023 and 29 November 2023. The judge applied section 6 Equality Act 2010 and addressed whether there was an impairment, whether it had an adverse effect on day-to-day activities, whether that effect was substantial, and whether it was long-term or likely to be long-term. The tribunal also considered the parties' submissions on deduced effect where medication was involved.

The tribunal found that from July 2023 throughout the employment Dr Jones had persistent throbbing pain in his left leg, arising in the context of DVT and later related diagnoses. It accepted that the pain affected his ability to sit, stand and walk for extended periods, interfered with desk work and travel, and led him to change posture and activity frequently. The judge found that painkillers and blood thinners ameliorated the symptoms but did not end them, and that the condition had a substantial adverse effect on day-to-day activities.

The respondent challenged the medical evidence and the claimant's credibility, including matters arising from covert recordings and the claimant's evidence under cross-examination. The tribunal did not accept that he was exaggerating his symptoms. It held that the pain was likely to continue beyond 12 months, and that the claimant had proved on the balance of probabilities that he was a disabled person within section 6 Equality Act 2010.