Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police

Case No: 1402183/2024 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS Claimant: Mr L Umpleby Respondent: Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police Heard at: Bristol (by CVP) On: 27 January 2026 Before: Employment Judge Gray-Jones Representation Claimant: In person Respondent: Mr M Ley-Morgan, Counsel JUDGMENT 1. The Claimant was a disabled person by reason of dyslexia under s.6 Equality Act 2010 at all times material to the claim. 2. The Claimant was a disabled person by reason of depression under s.6 Equality Act 2010 from January 2024. REASONS Introduction 1. By a claim form presented on 06 September 2024 the Claimant brought complaints of disability discrimination and detriment on the grounds of public interest disclosure. The Claimant is employed by the Respondent as a police dog handler. He commenced employment with the Respondent on 31 October 2022. Apart from a brief break he has worked as a serving Case No: 1402183/2024 police officer, holding the rank of constable, for the last 18 years. 2. This was a public Preliminary Hearing to consider and determine the following issues: 1) Whether at all material times the Claimant was disabled by reason or dyslexia and/or depression, within the meaning of s.6 and Schedule 1 of the Equality Act 2010; 2) Any further case management. Procedural History 3. There was a preliminary hearing for case management on 18 June 2025 at which the case was listed for a final hearing from 18 – 29 May 2026 (the length of hearing having been subsequently extended). At the preliminary hearing the Respondent confirmed that it did not accept that the Claimant was a disabled person under the Equality Act 2010 by reason of dyslexia or depression, these being the alleged disabilities relied on by the Claimant. This position was subsequently ...