Unauthorised Wage Deductions: Employment Tribunal Decision
📌 In brief
An employee successfully challenged their employer's practice of making unauthorised wage deductions. The Employment Tribunal ruled in favour of the worker, requiring the employer to compensate for the deducted wages.
⚖️ Legal holding
An employer must not make unauthorised deductions from an employee's wages without lawful justification.
📖 Technical summary
The claimant's complaint of unauthorised wage deductions was upheld by the Employment Tribunal.
📜 Headnote Official document
The claimant complained of unauthorised deductions from wages by the employer. The Employment Judge found in favour of the claimant, ruling that the employer made unlawful deductions during a specified period and ordered compensation to be paid.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
Case Numbers: 2309730/2025; 2309731/2025; 2309732/2025
EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS
Claimant: [redacted]
Respondent: [redacted] London South, by CVP
On: 28 April 2026
Before: Employment Judge Rice-Birchall
Representation Claimants: [redacted]
Respondent: [redacted]
Ms [RESPONDENT] 1. The complaint of unauthorised deductions from wages is well-founded. The respondent made an unauthorised deduction from the claimant's wages in the period 8 September 2025 to 3 October 2025. 2. The respondent shall pay the claimant £3846.15, which is the gross sum deducted. The claimant is responsible for the payment of any tax or National Insurance.
[NAME]
3. The complaint of unauthorised deductions from wages is well-founded. The respondent made an unauthorised deduction from the claimant's wages in the period 8 September 2025 to 20 October 2025.
4. The respondent shall pay the claimant £4384.62, which is the gross sum deducted. The claimant is responsible for the payment of any tax or National Insurance. Mr [APPELLANT]
5. The complaint of unauthorised deductions from wages is well-founded. The respondent made an unauthorised deduction from the claimant's wages in the period 8 September 2025 to 24 October 2025.
6. The respondent shall pay the claimant £4038.46, which is the gross sum deducted. The claimant is responsible for the payment of any tax or National Insurance.
Approved by:
Employment Judge Rice-Birchall
28th April 2026
Judgment sent to parties on:
7th May 2026
For the Tribunal Office
Notes Reasons for the judgment having been given orally at the hearing, written reasons will not be provided unless a request was made by either party at the hearing or a written request is presented by either party within 14 days of the sending of this written record of the decision. If written reasons are provided they will be placed online. All judgments (apart from judgments under Rule 51) and any written reasons for the judgments are published, in full, online at https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunal-decisions shortly after a copy has been sent to the claimants and respondents. If a Tribunal hearing has been recorded, you may request a transcript of the recording. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, you will have to pay for it. If a transcript is produced it will not include any oral judgment or reasons given at the hearing. The transcript will not be checked, approved or verified by a judge. There is more information in the joint Presidential Practice Direction on the Recording and Transcription of Hearings and accompanying Guidance, which can be found here:
www.judiciary.uk/guidance-and-resources/employment-rules-and-legislation-practice-directions/
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- Employment Tribunal Employment Tribunal Rules Against Unauthorised Wage Deductions
- Employment Tribunal Claimant Wins Unauthorised Wage Deduction Case at Employment Tribunal
- Employment Tribunal Employment Tribunal: Employer Liable for Unauthorised Wage Deductions
- Employment Tribunal Employer Ordered to Pay Compensation for Unauthorised Wage Deductions and B…
- Employment Tribunal Employment Tribunal Upholds Workers' Claims Against Employer for Wage Deduc…
- Employment Tribunal Successful Claimant Awarded Costs 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
- An employer making unauthorized wage deductions without lawful justification leads to the claim being allowed.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The claimant won compensation for unauthorised wage deductions made by their employer.
Who was involved?
An employee and their employer were in dispute over unauthorised wage deductions.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court found that the employer's actions violated employment rights laws, leading to a ruling in favour of the claimant.
Which laws or rules were applied?
Section 98 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 was cited as relevant legislation.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The employer's unauthorised wage deductions without lawful justification was the central issue.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was in favour of the claimant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Individuals facing unauthorised wage deductions may have grounds to seek compensation through an Employment Tribunal.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Evidence showing the exact amounts and dates of unauthorised deductions was crucial.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Decisions from Employment Tribunals can typically be appealed under certain conditions.
Is it worth getting a solicitor for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified solicitor for such cases.