Ms T Williams (Friend). For the v Respondent — 2021

The claimant brought two claim forms alleging unfair dismissal and race discrimination. The respondent’s response was filed out of time, but the tribunal accepted it in the interests of justice after noting confusion about the claims and the respondent against which they were brought. The respondent’s case was that there had been a fair disciplinary process leading to termination; the claimant said the dismissal was motivated by race discrimination and whistleblowing.

The tribunal held that the correct respondent was the employer, Greig City Academy, and not the Greig City Academy Trust. The proceedings against the Trust were dismissed because the tribunal did not have jurisdiction to determine them. The claimant had argued that the Trust should remain a party, including by reference to a recording said to relate to the Board of Governors, but that issue was not determined on the merits in this judgment.

The two cases were consolidated and the particulars in both claim forms were to be read together, with case management orders made for further clarification. No findings were made on the substantive unfair dismissal or race discrimination claims, and no remedy was awarded at this stage.