6 real UK cases, explained simply
Real legal cases, told like a story you can actually follow.
Tribunal decisions and court rulings from England & Wales, broken down into plain English. Timelines, outcomes, and what people can actually learn from them — without the legal jargon.
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Employment Law
Real UK employment tribunal cases explained in plain English — unfair dismissal, discrimination, redundancy, whistleblowing and more.
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Landlord & Tenant Disputes
Real UK housing cases explained simply — deposit disputes, Section 21 notices, disrepair claims, rent arrears and possession proceedings.
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Recent case explainers
Hours dropped to zero after telling boss about pregnancy: discrimination upheld
A hospitality worker on a zero-hours contract had her shifts cut from 35 a week to zero within a fortnight of telling her manager she was pregnant. The tribunal awarded over £22,000.
Redundancy with no consultation: a small employer's costly mistake
A graphic designer was told her role was redundant in a five-minute meeting with no warning, no consultation and no consideration of alternatives. The tribunal awarded £14,200.
Landlord ordered to pay 3x deposit penalty after years of non-protection
A County Court ordered a landlord to pay the maximum three-times penalty for failing to protect a £1,200 deposit for two consecutive tenancies — a total award of £7,200.
Dismissed over a private Facebook post: when does social media cross the line?
A care worker was sacked for gross misconduct after a Facebook comment about a colleague. The tribunal found the dismissal unfair — but reduced compensation by 25% for contributory conduct.
Section 21 thrown out: gas safety certificate handed over after move-in date
A landlord's possession claim was struck out because the Gas Safety Certificate was given to the tenant two days after the tenancy began, not before.
Dismissed during long-term sick leave: a capability dismissal that went too fast
Employer dismissed a long-serving warehouse worker after eight months of sickness absence without obtaining an up-to-date medical report. The tribunal found the dismissal unfair.
Common legal questions
Plain-English answers to the questions people actually search for, with real cases that show how they've played out.
Can you be fired while on sick leave in the UK?
Yes, but only if the employer has a fair reason (usually capability) and follows a fair process — including obtaining up-to-date medical evidence and considering reasonable adjustments. If they don't, the dismissal is likely to be unfair, and disability discrimination claims may also apply.
How much compensation can I claim for unfair dismissal?
A successful unfair dismissal claim usually gets a basic award (calculated like statutory redundancy pay) plus a compensatory award for lost earnings, capped at the lower of 52 weeks' pay or a statutory maximum (£115,115 from April 2024). Tribunals can reduce awards for "contributory conduct" or "Polkey" deductions.
What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit?
Use the free dispute service offered by your deposit scheme first. If your deposit wasn't protected at all, you can sue the landlord for the deposit back plus a penalty of up to three times the deposit amount under the Housing Act 2004.