Miss H Cook v Department for Work and Pensions: 2401298/2025
JUDGMENT
The proceedings are dismissed in full under Rule 47 Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024.REASONS
[1]Today’s hearing was listed to be heard by CVP for case management purposes.[2]The claim relates to allegations of discrimination arising from disability and failure to make reasonable adjustments. The claimant’s employment was continuing. The claimant gave her contact details and indicated that she preferred to be contacted by post.[3]The Notice of Hearing was sent by post to the claimant on 8 July 2025, together with the Agenda proforma to assist with preparation for today’s hearing. The Notice of Hearing directed the claimant to return the completed form to the Tribunal, copying in the respondent, seven days before the hearing. No completed Agenda was received from the claimant.[4]Ms. Venkata told me that the claimant had not had been in contact with those instructing her for a considerable period. The respondent’s solicitors had attempted to contact the claimant in respect of completing the Agenda and a Draft List of Issues since in or about early December 2025, but without success.[5]A search of the Tribunal’s email inbox did not reveal any correspondence from the claimant.[6]I waited until 2.30 pm to see if the claimant would attend. She did not appear, and nor was she represented at the hearing. Relevant provision[7]Rule 47 of The Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024 provides as follows: “47. If a party fails to attend or to be represented at a hearing the Tribunals may dismiss the claim or proceed with the hearing in the absence of that party. Before doing so, it must consider any information which is available to it, after any enquiries that may be practicable, about the reasons for the party’s absence.”[8]Taking into account the above information, I determined that the case should be dismissed in full under Rule 47 due to non-attendance of the claimant as that would be in furtherance of the overriding object (Rule 3) to avoid further time and costs being wasted.[9]The claim is therefore dismissed in full. Judge Callan Dated 11 February 2026 24 March 2026 For the Tribunals Office Note Written reasons for the judgment will not be provided unless a request is made by either party within 14 days of the sending of this written record of the decision. If written reasons are requested they will be placed on line.