Mr Aggrey Orleans, Counsel For the v Five Star Taxis Ltd — 2022

The tribunal found that the claimant was dismissed by reason of redundancy, relying on the respondent's letter dated 23 March 2020 and the P45 confirming the employment ended on 16 March 2020. The tribunal rejected the respondent's pleaded position that the claimant had resigned, noting that no respondent witness statement had been provided and the respondent did not attend the hearing.

The tribunal found that the redundancy took place without warning, consultation, consideration of a pool of employees, or selection process. The claimant had been employed from 15 January 2003 to 16 March 2020, had 17 complete years' service, and was aged 45 at dismissal. The tribunal awarded a basic award, compensation for loss of earnings after allowing for a six-week procedure period and a chance of part-time work, loss of benefits, holiday pay, notice pay, failure to provide written terms, loss of statutory rights, and interest.

The tribunal also considered a costs application. It found that the respondent had acted unreasonably in the conduct of proceedings, including by advancing a resignation defence inconsistent with its own redundancy letter, failing to comply with tribunal orders, and failing to attend after a late postponement request. It ordered a contribution to the claimant's costs limited to £10,000, separate from the stated total award.