Employment Tribunal Decision: Disability Discrimination Claims Allowed, Costs Application Dismissed
📌 In brief
An Employment Tribunal ruled that a worker's disability discrimination claims were valid based on their condition of anxiety and depression as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Despite this, the tribunal denied the claimant’s application for legal costs.
⚖️ Legal holding
An employer must consider disability discrimination claims if an employee is disabled within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010.
📖 What the law says
A person is considered to have a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially and long-term adversely affects their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
An employer discriminates against a disabled person if they treat the disabled person unfavorably because of something arising from their disability, unless the employer can show that they were unaware and could not reasonably have known about the disability.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a solicitor.
📖 Technical summary
The claimant was found to be disabled under the Equality Act 2010, but their application for costs was dismissed.
📜 Headnote Official document
The claimant was found to be disabled under the Equality Act 2010 due to anxiety and depression, allowing their disability discrimination claims. However, their request for costs was dismissed.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed in Part
Case number: 2500595.2025 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS Claimant: [redacted] Respondent: [redacted] Newcastle upon Tyne (by CVP) On: 16 March 2026 Before: Employment Judge Heather REPRESENTATION: Claimant: [redacted] Respondent: [redacted] PRELIMINARY HEARING IN PUBLIC
JUDGMENT The judgment of the Tribunal is as follows: Disability 1. At the relevant times (14 January 2025 to 29 April 2025) the claimant was a disabled person as defined by section 6 Equality Act 2010 because of (i) anxiety; and (ii) depression.
2. The complaints of (i) direct disability discrimination; (ii) unfavourable treatment because of something arising in consequence of disability; (iii) failure to make reasonable adjustments; (iv) harassment related to disability; and (v) victimisation can therefore proceed. Costs 3. The claimant’s application for costs is dismissed.
Case number: 2500595.2025 Approved by: Employment Judge Heather 16 March 2026 Note Reasons for the judgment were given orally at the hearing. Written reasons will not be provided unless a party asked for them at the hearing or a party makes a written request within 14 days of the sending of this written record of the decision. Public access to employment tribunal decisions Judgments (apart from judgments under rule 51) and reasons for the judgments are published, in full, online at www.gov.uk/employment-tribunal-decisions shortly after a copy has been sent to the claimant(s) and respondent(s) in a case.
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- Employment Tribunal Employer Must Compensate for Unauthorised Wages, Not Pension Failures
- Employment Tribunal Employment Tribunal Decision: Disability Discrimination and Reasonable Adju…
- Employment Tribunal Employment Tribunal Rules on Age Discrimination and Disability Adjustments
- Employment Tribunal Disability Discrimination Claim Rejected; Holiday Pay Awarded with Costs Or…
- Employment Tribunal Employment Tribunal Partially Allows Unfair Dismissal Claim
- Employment Tribunal Unfair Dismissal: Reduced Compensation Awarded Due to Higher Earnings
- Employment Tribunal Employment Tribunal Allows Unfair Dismissal Claim Against an Online Retaile…
- Employment Tribunal Late Unfair Dismissal Claim Allowed by Employment Tribunal
A snapshot of this collection — not a prediction of your case's outcome.
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The claimant was considered a disabled person due to anxiety and depression during the relevant period.
- The claimant's complaints of direct disability discrimination, unfavourable treatment, failure to make reasonable adjustments, harassment, and victimisation can proceed.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The claimant's request for costs was not granted by the Tribunal.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The claimant's disability discrimination claims were allowed, but their request for costs was dismissed.
Who was involved?
A worker and an employer were involved in the case.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the worker met the legal definition of disabled under the Equality Act 2010, allowing their claims to proceed.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Equality Act 2010 was applied specifically sections 6, 13 and 15.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The central reasoning was whether the worker met the legal definition of disability under section 6 of the Equality Act 2010.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was partly in favour, allowing the discrimination claims but dismissing the costs application.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone with anxiety and depression may have grounds to claim disability discrimination if they face unfavourable treatment at work.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment did not specify particular evidence, but medical records and witness statements likely played a role.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, decisions from Employment Tribunals can often be appealed to the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is highly recommended to seek advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.