Novadiscovery SA

Case Summary

Ms Alani brought claims of pregnancy and maternity discrimination and victimisation against Novadiscovery SA. The respondent's response was struck out under Employment Tribunal Rule 38(1)(d) for not being actively pursued. The tribunal found both the discrimination and victimisation complaints well-founded and the claims succeeded, with remedy to be determined at a subsequent hearing.

The respondent's response was struck out because it had not been actively pursued. Following the striking out of the response, the tribunal found the claimant's complaints of pregnancy and maternity discrimination and victimisation to be well-founded.

• •Pregnancy and maternity discrimination contrary to section 18 Equality Act 2010
• •Victimisation contrary to section 27 Equality Act 2010
• •Respondent's failure to actively pursue response

Case No: 2302917/2022 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS Claimant: Ms L Alani neè Ellis-Hill Respondent: Novadiscovery SA Heard at: London South (by CVP) On: 27 April 2026 Before: Employment Judge Yardley Representation Claimant: Mr A Pennington, Solicitor Respondent: Did not attend LIABILITY JUDGMENT The judgment of the Tribunal is as follows: 1. The Respondent’s response to the complaints of pregnancy and maternity discrimination and victimisation is struck out under Employment Tribunal Rule 38(1)(d) because it has not been actively pursued. Where a response is struck out, the effect is as if no response had been presented, as set out in Employment Tribunal Rule 22. 2. The complaint of discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity contrary to section 18 Equality Act 2010 is well-founded and succeeds. 3. The complaint of victimisation contrary to section 27 Equality Act 2010 is well-founded and succeeds. 4. The remedy to which the Claimant is entitled will be determined at a remedy hearing on 20 May 2026 in accordance with the directions contained in a separate Case Management Order. _____________________ Employment Judge Yardley Date: 27 April 2026 Sent to the parties on: Date: 8 May 2026 Case No: 2302917/2022 Note Summary reasons for the judgment having been given orally at the hearing, written reasons will not be provided unless a request for either written summary reasons or written full reasons 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 the claimant requests written summary reasons then the Tribunal may, if it considers it appropriate to do so, provide written full reasons. Public access to employment tribunal decisions Judgments (apart from judgments under rule 51) and reasons for the judgments are publis…