Default judgment for former employee who brought race discrimination and unfair dismissal claims
A former employee of Skins Laser Clinic Ltd won nearly £19,000 in compensation after the company failed to respond to her tribunal claim, leading to a default judgment for unfair dismissal and race discrimination.
1 min read · Last updated 18 May 2026
Case details
Key facts
- The claimant issued a claim on 17 May 2022.
- The respondent failed to present a valid response on time.
- The claim succeeded by default under Rule 21.
- A remedy hearing was held on 15 August 2023.
- The claimant was awarded compensation for unfair dismissal, race discrimination, unpaid wages, and injury to feelings.
Timeline
-
Employment ended
The claimant stopped working for the respondent on or around this date.
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Claim issued
The claimant issued proceedings in the Watford Employment Tribunal.
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Liability judgment
Employment Judge R Lewis issued a default judgment finding the claim succeeded.
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Remedy hearing
Employment Judge Hyams held a remedy hearing and made awards.
The legal issue
The tribunal had to determine the remedy for the claimant's successful claims of unfair dismissal, race discrimination, unauthorised deductions, and breach of contract after the respondent failed to respond.
The outcome
The tribunal found in favour of the former employee on all claims, including unfair dismissal, race discrimination, unauthorised deductions from wages, and breach of contract.
Compensation breakdown:
- Basic award for unfair dismissal: £2,787.90
- Compensatory award for loss of earnings (unfair dismissal and discrimination): £8,642.59
- Injury to feelings: £5,500
- Interest on discrimination awards: £1,231.46
- Unpaid wages: £637.24
- Failure to provide written particulars: £557.58
Lessons & takeaways
- Employers must respond to tribunal claims on time; failure to do so can result in a default judgment against them.
- Claimants can pursue multiple claims in one case, such as unfair dismissal and discrimination, if they arise from the same employment.
- Compensation for injury to feelings is available in discrimination cases, and interest may be awarded on those sums.
What this case shows
This case demonstrates how an employer's failure to engage with tribunal proceedings can lead to a swift default judgment. The former employee brought claims for unfair dismissal, race discrimination, unauthorised deductions from wages, and breach of contract after her employment ended in January 2022. When Skins Laser Clinic Ltd did not submit a valid response, the tribunal ruled in her favour without a full hearing on liability.
What could have been done differently
The respondent could have avoided this outcome by filing a response to the claim within the prescribed time limits. Even if the employer believed the claims were without merit, failing to respond meant they lost the opportunity to defend themselves. The tribunal proceeded to a remedy hearing where the claimant provided evidence of her losses, leading to an award of £18,769.27.
Why this result matters
For employees considering similar claims, this case highlights the importance of issuing proceedings promptly and ensuring all claims are included from the outset. The award included compensation for injury to feelings, which is a key element in discrimination cases. For employers, it serves as a stark reminder that ignoring tribunal claims can be costly and result in a default judgment with limited opportunity to contest the amount of compensation.
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