Mr K Leathers and Others v Sphere Bio Ltd (In Administration) and Secretary of State for Business & Trade: 3306191/2025 and Others
JUDGMENT
(1) The first respondent has failed to comply with a requirement of section 188 of the Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. The claim for a protective award succeeds.(2) The Tribunal makes a protective award in respect of the claimants who worked at the first respondent’s establishment at Building One, Granta Centre, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AL and who were dismissed as redundant on or after 17 April 2025 that the employer pay remuneration for the protected period which begins on 7 August 2025 and is for a period of 90 days. The Recoupment Regulations apply.REASONS
[1]The claimants were employed at the same establishment at Building One, Granta Centre, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AL (“the establishment”) and were made redundant on or after 7 August 2025.[2]There was no recognised trade union or elected employee representatives at the establishment. 3. 20 or more employees at the establishment were made redundant or placed at risk of redundancy, on or within 90 days of 7 August 2025.[4]The claimants were dismissed during this period without any consultation having taken place.[5]The last of the dismissals occurred on 20 August 2025, so all the claims have been presented within the time limit contained in section 189(5)(b) of the Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.[6]The first respondent, which is in administration, has not filed a response to the claims (save to claim number 3300193/2026 & 3306794/2025 which raises additional claims not covered by this judgment). The second respondent has been copied into the proceedings as statutory guarantor.[7]There is no reason to depart from the principle that protective awards are punitive and should be for the maximum period unless there are circumstances making it just not to do so Approved by: