Former solicitor's discrimination claim falls at first hurdle

Tribunal judge rules claimant on 'shoe-string budget' failed to establish there was detriment

A well-known Midlands lawyer has failed to win a discrimination claim against his former employers.

Jeremy Geere had accused Anthony Collins Solicitors in Birmingham of post-employment victimisation, disability discrimination and harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act, after alleging that derogatory remarks had since been made against him.

Geere represented himself. He admitted he had not been present when the alleged derogatory remarks were made against him. He said he had sent two emails to the police about the situation and alleged he had been treated less favourably by the firm than other former employees.

The firm, which had employed Geere for ten years, successfully defended the claims.

Geere said he had suffered from a severe stress disorder and told the tribunal he believed he was entitled to £6,000 for injury to feelings and £5,000 for his financial losses.

But the Birmingham Employment Tribunal was told that it appeared Geere had problems with a female staff member.

Stuart Brittenden, representing the respondents, said at a previous hearing that Anthony Collins firm opposed Geere's legal claims, denied all the allegations and accused him of failing to prove that he suffered detriment. He also accused Geere of failing to say what the derogatory remarks actually were.

Tribunal judge David Kearsley said at the time he would make a decision at a later date. Now he has found in favour of the respondents.

In his latest report Kearsley said: "As the claimant has failed to establish there was a detriment, his claims fail at the first hurdle."

After leaving his employment at Anthony Collins Solicitors, Geere became a caseworker for the Citizens Advice Bureau dealing exclusively with race discrimination cases and later ran an independent charity to help migrant workers.

"They form a majority of my legal clients - I do not charge legal fees and I am operating on a shoestring budget," he told the tribunal in his witness statement at an earlier hearing.

Peter Swingler, freelance journalist