EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL — RESPONDENT REQUIRES LEGAL SUPPORT

EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL — RESPONDENT REQUIRES URGENT LEGAL SUPPORT

KEY DEADLINES:
- 11 May 2026 — Disclosure
- 25 May 2026 — Bundle
- 22 June 2026 — Witness Statement (CRITICAL)
- 17 November 2026 — Full Hearing

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OVERVIEW
I am the Respondent (company director) in an employment tribunal claim brought by a former sponsored employee. The claimant worked for my company for approximately three years until August 2025. I require legal support to review my defence and prepare for the November 2026 hearing.

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CLAIMANT'S ALLEGATIONS
The claimant alleges:
- He was pressured to return portions of his salary totalling approximately 10k
- Payments were made to third parties under duress
- He complied due to fear of losing his job and visa status
- He was terminated after refusing to comply
- He claims to have video and text message evidence supporting his position

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RESPONDENT'S POSITION & KEY EVIDENCE

1. JOINT VENTURE — CLAIMANT'S OWN SUGGESTION
- All disputed payments relate to a voluntary joint venture arrangement suggested and managed entirely by the claimant
- The claimant introduced the broker and managed all activities
- around half of monies went directly to the broker — not to the respondent personally
- The respondent had no financial benefit from this arrangement whatsoever
- The respondent could have simply replaced the claimant with a lower cost employee at any time — there was no logical motive for coercion

2. ACCOMMODATION — SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT PROVIDED TO CLAIMANT
- Claimant was provided accommodation at well below market rate
- Paid a fraction of the market value over eight months
- Utility bills also covered by respondent
- Claimant vacated the property without giving notice

3. RESPONDENT ACTIVELY HELPED CLAIMANT FIND NEW EMPLOYMENT
- Extended claimant's notice period at his own request
- Wrote a recommendation letter
- Contacted personal network to find new opportunities for claimant
- Sent claimant 25 job advertisements during notice period
- The entire arrangement was designed to give the claimant time to find a new job

4. FALSIFIED EVIDENCE — CRITICAL ISSUE
- The claimant has submitted altered messages to the tribunal
- Original messages were changed to remove words that altered tone and meaning
- Additional comments were added that were never made
- Respondent has original unaltered messages to compare
- This may constitute contempt of court or perverting the course of justice

5. SALARY & PENSION ALWAYS PAID
- Despite difficult company finances, salary and pension were always paid in full throughout employment
- Some evidence submitted by claimant relates to a period outside the claim period

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CURRENT STATUS
- ACAS conciliation ongoing — COT3 settlement close but not yet agreed
- Settlement figure broadly agreed but specific clauses remain in dispute
- Claimant is a sponsored worker — visa implications may be relevant

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WHAT I NEED
1. Assistance with disclosure by 11 May 2026
2. Preparation of bundle by 25 May 2026
3. Drafting witness statement by 22 June 2026
4. Advice on falsified evidence and how to raise this with the tribunal
5. Review of COT3 draft and ongoing ACAS negotiations
6. Representation or advisory support for November 2026 hearing
7. Advice on sponsor obligations regarding visa implications

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DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE
- Full ACAS correspondence history
- Original and altered message comparison
- Accommodation and financial records
- Job search assistance evidence
- Company financial records
- Joint venture correspondence

Please provide your hourly rate or fixed fee quote and confirmation of relevant employment tribunal experience.