Mr D Jackson in person For the v Respondent — 2026

This was a preliminary hearing before Employment Judge J Bax at Bristol on 16 January 2026 to determine the Respondent's applications to strike out the Claimant's claims of race and age discrimination and breach of contract, or alternatively for deposit orders. The Claimant, who was employed by easyJet Airline Company Limited between 29 January and 21 June 2024 during his probationary period, brought allegations of direct age and race discrimination relying on a hypothetical younger and non-Liverpudlian comparator, together with a breach of contract claim concerning the absence of a right of appeal.

The Tribunal struck out the race discrimination claims on the basis that the Claimant had no reasonable prospects of success. The applications to strike out the age discrimination and breach of contract allegations were dismissed. In relation to two age discrimination allegations (delay in providing a driving permit and failure to provide a functioning airside pass), the Judge found there were little reasonable prospects of success, noting that these allegations were based on the Claimant's assumption rather than evidence of any age-related comments by the relevant decision-makers, and made deposit orders of £150 on each. A further deposit order of £150 was made on the breach of contract allegation.

The Judge declined to make deposit orders in relation to the work allocation and "leaving in the office" allegations, finding that comments the Claimant relied upon could potentially shift the burden of proof depending on the evidence and findings of fact at a full hearing. The Claimant was ordered to pay the deposits within 14 days as a condition of being permitted to continue to advance the specified allegations.