Leeds Beckett University

Case Summary

The claimant's claims of indirect disability discrimination and failure to make reasonable adjustments were not upheld and were dismissed.

The tribunal found that the claimant was no longer relying on deafness as a disability, and the factual allegations of harassment had been formally abandoned earlier in the proceedings.

• •indirect disability discrimination
• •failure to make reasonable adjustments

1 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS Claimant Respondent Miss A Barrow v Leeds Beckett University Heard at: Sheffield (by video link – Kinly Cloud) On: 11, 12 and 13 March 2026 Before: Employment Judge James Representation For the Claimant: Represented herself For the Respondent: Mr A Willoughby, counsel JUDGMENT (1) The claim of indirect disability discrimination (s.19 Equality Act 2010) is not upheld and is dismissed. (2) The claim of failure to make reasonable adjustments (ss.20 and 21 Equality Act 2010) is not upheld and is dismissed. REASONS The issues 1. The agreed issues which the Tribunal had to determine are set out in Annex A. It was clarified before the Tribunal started to hear the evidence that the claimant was no longer relying on the physical impairment/disability of deafness. In an email from her then solicitor, to the respondent’s solicitors, sent on 3 June 2025, it was confirmed: We refer to your previous correspondence and we accept that the hearing difficulties referred to is not a disability issue. We thank you for your assistance in this matter. 2. As a consequence, the Judge asked the claimant whether she agreed that there was no longer a need to determine the issues set out at paragraphs 3.4.1 and 4.3.1 of the list of issues. The claimant did not agree with that. 2 Since the claimant is now a litigant in person, Judge James did not press her to withdraw those issues. However, on the basis of the discussion, the Judge told Mr Willoughby that it was a matter for him whether he wanted to question the claimant about them during cross examination, or just make submissions in relation to them. Mr Willoughby chose the latter. The proceedings 3. Acas Early Conciliation took place between 23 June and 4 August 2024. The …