Josh Jackson successfully represents appellant in disability and age discrimination appeal before the Employment Appeal Tribunal

Written by Cloisters

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The Employment Appeal Tribunal, presided over by Mrs Justice Eady DBE (President of the EAT), today gives judgment in Pipe v Coventry University [2023] EAT 73. 

The claim was brought by a former assistant lecturer in journalism against Coventry University. The claimant was in his late 50s and is disabled by way of ADHD and a sleeping disorder. The claim was that the University’s internal promotion framework and its repeated rejections of the claimant’s promotion applications under that framework were discriminatory on the grounds of disability and age. The crux was whether research and PhD criteria in the promotion framework unjustifiably disadvantaged persons with ADHD and older persons.  

The claim was dismissed by the Employment Tribunal in 2022. The claimant appealed on multiple grounds. 

Eady J found in favour of the appellant on grounds concerning knowledge, PCPs, particular disadvantage in relation to age, and the Employment Tribunal’s failure to consider the appellant’s claims regarding the final year in which his applications were rejected. The claim has been remitted back to the Employment Tribunal with respect to matters in 2020. 

Josh acted for the appellant, instructed by Emilie Cole of Cole Khan Solicitors, and supported by the University and College Union. 

A commentary on the judgment can be found here on Cole Khan’s website.