Ms C Servais v Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis — 2025

The Tribunal struck out the claimant's claims for unfair dismissal, sex discrimination and race discrimination in their entirety. The respondent had applied for strike out on the basis that the claimant had failed to comply with Tribunal orders, failed to pursue the claim, and later that a fair hearing could no longer take place.

The Tribunal found that there had been total non-compliance with the orders made on 11 July 2024. It noted the claimant's caring responsibilities and explanations relating to bereavement and the illness of her solicitor, but concluded that the evidence did not show there had been no opportunity to comply with the orders or give instructions over the period in question.

The Tribunal accepted that the case could not be fairly heard on 12 May 2025 and concluded that, after significant delay and with the parties not ready for the final hearing, it was no longer likely that a fair trial could occur. It considered lesser sanctions, including costs or an unless order, but found they would not be sufficient or practical, and struck out the claim.