Ms M Haggis v Barry Nunn — 2025

The claimant said she was owed money by the respondent for arrears of wages, unlawful deductions, and balance of below-minimum wages. The judgment records that there was no calculation of the amount said to be owed and no supporting documents such as a contract, correspondence, or payslips.

Neither party attended the hearing listed for 5 December 2024. The tribunal contacted the claimant by telephone and email, waited until 3.15pm, and then decided to proceed in her absence. It noted that the parties had been duly notified of the hearing and that there were no reasons given for the claimant's non-attendance.

The tribunal considered whether to strike out the case under rule 37(1)(c) for non-compliance, but decided that dismissal under rule 47 was more appropriate because the claimant had failed to attend. It said there was limited evidence on which to make a reasoned substantive judgment and that the claimant had also failed to comply with the direction to complete the agenda for the hearing.

Applying the overriding objective, the tribunal decided that adjourning the case, or making an unless order, would be disproportionate. The claim was therefore dismissed for non-attendance, and no substantive determination or monetary award was made.