3035 real UK cases, explained simply
Real legal cases, told like a story you can actually follow.
Tribunal decisions and court rulings from England & Wales, broken down into plain English. Timelines, outcomes, and what people can actually learn from them — without the legal jargon.
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Employment Law
Real UK employment tribunal cases explained in plain English — unfair dismissal, discrimination, redundancy, whistleblowing and more.
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Landlord & Tenant Disputes
Real UK housing cases explained simply — deposit disputes, Section 21 notices, disrepair claims, rent arrears and possession proceedings.
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Recent case explainers
Dismissed after visa sponsorship became impossible: Home Office rule change was 'some other substantial reason'
A tribunal has ruled that Fintru Limited fairly dismissed an associate whose skilled worker visa could not be renewed after the Home Office raised salary thresholds. The employer explored alternatives and followed a reasonable process.
Constructive dismissal after eight-month wait for grievance outcome
An NHS employee resigned after waiting nearly eight months for her grievance outcome. The tribunal found she was constructively unfairly dismissed and awarded £3,756.60.
Hotel night worker's constructive dismissal claim struck out after delay in resigning
A tribunal struck out a constructive unfair dismissal claim from a night team member who waited 2.5 months after the last alleged breach before resigning, finding he had affirmed the contract.
Unfair dismissal claim dismissed despite severe mental health: the 'reasonable period' trap
A bank employee's unfair dismissal claim was dismissed as out of time, even though the tribunal accepted her severe mental health made it not reasonably practicable to claim within the first three months.
Agency worker's claim dismissed after withdrawal and failed reinstatement
An agency worker who withdrew her employment tribunal claims and then tried to revoke the withdrawal has had her case dismissed. The tribunal ruled the withdrawal was valid and could not be undone.
Race discrimination claim dismissed after social worker missed time limit
An experienced social worker's race discrimination and constructive dismissal claims against Devon County Council were dismissed because she presented her claim too late, and the tribunal refused to extend time.
Common legal questions
Plain-English answers to the questions people actually search for, with real cases that show how they've played out.
Can I claim unfair dismissal with less than two years' service?
Not for ordinary unfair dismissal — that requires two years' continuous service. But "automatically unfair" dismissals (whistleblowing, asserting a statutory right, pregnancy, trade union activity, health and safety, and others) have no minimum service requirement, and a wrongful dismissal (breach of contract) claim is also available regardless of service length.
Can you be dismissed without a disciplinary hearing in the UK?
Almost never fairly. With very limited exceptions, an employer that dismisses an employee with two years' service without holding a proper disciplinary hearing will lose an unfair dismissal claim — and is likely to face a 10–25% uplift on compensation for breaching the ACAS Code of Practice.
Can you be fired while on sick leave in the UK?
Yes, but only if the employer has a fair reason (usually capability) and follows a fair process — including obtaining up-to-date medical evidence and considering reasonable adjustments. If they don't, the dismissal is likely to be unfair, and disability discrimination claims may also apply.
How much compensation can I claim for unfair dismissal?
A successful unfair dismissal claim usually gets a basic award (calculated like statutory redundancy pay) plus a compensatory award for lost earnings, capped at the lower of 52 weeks' pay or a statutory maximum (£115,115 from April 2024). Tribunals can reduce awards for "contributory conduct" or "Polkey" deductions.
What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit?
Use the free dispute service offered by your deposit scheme first. If your deposit wasn't protected at all, you can sue the landlord for the deposit back plus a penalty of up to three times the deposit amount under the Housing Act 2004.
What does the ACAS Code of Practice require employers to do?
The ACAS Code sets the minimum fair process for disciplinary and grievance matters — a proper investigation, written allegations with evidence, a hearing with the right to be accompanied, a decision in writing, and an appeal. Unreasonable failure to follow it can increase or decrease a tribunal award by up to 25%.