Independent, practical help for litigants in person in England & Wales.
Written by John Barwell
The EAT overturned the strike-out of race discrimination complaints in Waithaka v Barclays. The judgment explains why different managers, incidents and forms of treatment may still form part of one continuing state of affairs for Equality Act time-limit purposes.
Written by John Barwell
Employment Tribunal conduct may be disruptive in effect while mental impairment remains relevant to its cause. This article examines evidence, non-attendance, costs, unless orders, strike-out and fairness to both parties.
Written by John Barwell
Employment Tribunals have broad powers to support vulnerable parties. But an impaired litigant in person may struggle to identify the barrier, explain its functional effect and provide the evidence needed for a proportionate adjustment.
Written by John Barwell
Employment Tribunal proceedings do not inevitably cause mental illness. But for a litigant in person, self-representation can add anxiety, cognitive load and procedural pressure to an already damaging workplace dispute.
Written by John Barwell
A complaint can contain a detailed chronology and extensive evidence while leaving the central questions undefined. An issue map separates the issues, positions, evidence, findings and outcomes that require a decision.
Written by John Barwell
Templates can improve clarity and consistency. The accountability problem begins when standard wording replaces engagement with the individual complaint, evidence and circumstances.
Written by John Barwell
A final response may close a file, but that does not always mean the complaint has been answered. Administrative closure belongs to the process. Substantive resolution belongs to the issue.
Written by John Barwell
A decision does not need to discuss every document. But where central evidence disappears from the reasoning, the person affected may be unable to understand how the issue, evidence, finding and outcome connect.
Written by John Barwell
A response can be complete in form and incomplete in substance. The accountability problem lies in the gap between the issue raised and the question answered.
Written by John Barwell
Outcome is not explanation. Reasons matter because they make decisions intelligible, accountable and capable of proper scrutiny.
