Mr J Lambert v Tony Team Limited — 2021

This was a preliminary hearing before Employment Judge M Butler sitting alone on 29 April 2021. The tribunal recorded that the claimant, Mr J Lambert, did not attend. Notice of the hearing had been given, and a late application to postpone the hearing was refused because it was made very late and Mr Lambert had previously indicated he would instruct solicitors.

In the claimant's absence, the tribunal considered the papers, including an impact statement, a medical report, and the pleadings. The medical report from Dr S Vohra, dated 20 June 2018, did not support the claimant's account that he had lost the sight in his left eye or his peripheral vision. It said his vision had returned to normal after around six weeks, and it also recorded no specific disruption to planned or scheduled social or recreational activities and no regular hobbies or recreational activities affected.

Against that background, the tribunal concluded that the disability discrimination claim was not being actively pursued and struck it out. The judgment also recorded that the unfair dismissal element of the claim had already been listed for a three-day hearing on 28, 29 and 30 June 2021, so no merits decision was made on that part of the case in this judgment.