not present or represented. For the v I set out the chronology below as a matter of record. It does not amount to written — 2019

The hearing took place on 18 November 2019 before Employment Judge Heal. The claimant did not attend. The tribunal recorded that the hearing date had been fixed at a preliminary hearing on 17 December 2018, that a case management summary containing the date had been sent to the parties on 10 January 2019, and that the claimant had later been reminded of deadlines and referred to that summary in correspondence.

On 15 November 2019 the claimant asked for a postponement, saying he had only just learned of the hearing date and was not ready. The tribunal refused that request because the claimant had been aware of the hearing date from the preliminary hearing. The claimant then sent further emails saying he could not attend, referring to personal problems, caring responsibilities, bereavement, and other turmoil. The tribunal treated those emails as neither a withdrawal of the claim nor a fresh postponement application.

The respondent applied for dismissal under rule 47 and, in the alternative, strike-out under rule 37. The claimant had not received notice of the strike-out application, so that application was reserved. The tribunal dismissed the claim due to the claimant's non-appearance and reserved costs. The judgment does not determine the substantive merits of the underlying claim.