Mr H Blumire v Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police: 6021229/2024
JUDGMENT
The claim against the Respondent is dismissed pursuant to rule 47 of The Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024.REASONS
[1]The Claimant has brought claims against the Respondent for unfair dismissal and age and sex discrimination. He had insufficient length of service with the Respondent to claim ‘ordinary’ unfair dismissal. Today’s hearing, which was listed for case management, was an opportunity for the Tribunal to better understand the Claimant’s claim that he was discriminated against. Notice of the hearing was sent to the parties by email on 1 July 2025, in the case of the Claimant to the email address given in form ET1. The parties were also provided with case management agenda forms to complete. Finally, a strike out warning was issued to the Claimant in respect of his unfair dismissal claim given his length of employment with the Respondent.[2]The Claimant did not attend today’s hearing and has not made any written representations to the Tribunal. He has not submitted a completed agenda form. Efforts were made to contact the Claimant by phone today, but the call went through to voicemail.[3]On receipt of his claim the Respondent requested further limited information from the Claimant regarding his discrimination complaints. I am told that the Claimant has not responded to this request, nor it seems has the Claimant responded to the Respondent’s subsequent application to the Tribunal on 6 February this year for an order that he provide that information.[4]The Claimant has not responded to the Tribunal’s strike out warning in respect of his unfair dismissal complaint.[5]The Respondent has been in contact with the Claimant by email about today’s hearing, namely on 17 October and 3, 6, 7 and 10 November 2025. The Claimant emailed the Respondent on 7 November 2025 and by his comments indicated that he no longer intended to pursue his claim, but he has not responded to a further email from the Respondent sent on 10 November 2025 in which they sought clarification as to whether he was withdrawing his claim. As a minimum, the emails confirm that the Claimant is aware of today’s hearing, the Respondent having provided him with a bundle for the hearing and its completed agenda form.[6]Other than presenting his claim to the tribunals, the Claimant has not taken any other steps to pursue the claim.[7]Rule 47 of The Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024 provides: Non-attendance 47. If a party fails to attend or to be represented at a hearing, the Tribunal 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]There is no good reason for the Claimant’s non-attendance today. I am amply satisfied that he is aware of today’s hearing but has chosen not to attend. It is equally clear to me that he is no longer actively pursuing his claim, but that he has not had the good sense to formally withdraw his claim ahead of today’s hearing. He has effectively wasted the Tribunal’s and the Respondent’s time. I dismiss the claim pursuant to Rule 47. Approved by: