Mr Stephen Pakes v Instant Landscapes Ltd — 2026

The claimant did not attend the hearing. Before the hearing, he emailed the tribunal saying that he could not attend and no longer wished to pursue his unfair dismissal claim. After the tribunal asked whether he also withdrew the breach of contract and unauthorised deduction of wages claims, he confirmed that he did not object to the tribunal proceeding in his absence.

The tribunal proceeded in the claimant's absence, noting that the hearing date had been known for some time. The respondent's managing director gave sworn evidence that the claimant resigned, was not entitled to notice pay, and that deductions were made in accordance with contractual training agreements. The claimant was not present to challenge that account, and the tribunal found the facts in accordance with the respondent's witness statement.

The unfair dismissal claim was dismissed upon withdrawal. The breach of contract and unauthorised deduction of wages claims were dismissed, with the tribunal recording that no monies were due to the claimant.