Mrs. R. Reedman v Leigh Academies Trust — 2026

This was a public preliminary hearing before Employment Judge Sudra sitting alone on 11 March 2026. The tribunal considered whether the claim had been presented within time, whether it had been reasonably practicable to present it in time, and whether any part should be struck out or a deposit ordered. The claimant was employed as a teacher from 1 September 2010 until her employment ended on 31 December 2024, after notice given on 31 October 2024. ACAS early conciliation began on 23 December 2024 and ended with a certificate on 3 February 2025. The ET1 was presented on 11 May 2025.

The claimant, represented by counsel, argued that the effect of s.207B(3) ERA 1996 was to work out expiry of the limitation period and that there was legal uncertainty before Raison. It was submitted that, if the claim was out of time, time should be extended because the claimant had instructed a trade union solicitor, the law was uncertain, and the ET1 was presented on the date the solicitor believed was the last day for filing. The respondent relied on Garau and Raison, submitted that EC time before the start of the primary limitation period did not count, and said the claim was therefore seven days late. It also submitted that, without witness evidence, there was no basis to find that it had not been reasonably practicable to present the claim in time.

The tribunal accepted the respondent's analysis of s.207B(3) ERA 1996 and held that the period of early conciliation before the primary limitation period did not count when calculating the deadline. On that basis, the ET1 should have been presented by 4 May 2025, but was not filed until 11 May 2025, so it was seven days out of time. In the absence of evidence establishing that it was not reasonably practicable to present the claim within the applicable time limit, the tribunal struck the claim out for want of jurisdiction. The final hearing listed for 20 to 21 May 2027 was vacated.