Emma Darlow Stearn represents vehicle engineer in high value whistleblowing claim against Jaguar Land Rover
Image of Emma Darlow Stearn
Emma Darlow Stearn, instructed by James & West, acts for the claimant, Mr H Denli, in his whistleblowing detriment claim against Jaguar Land Rover Limited ("JLR"), as recently reported in the Financial Times and The Times.
JLR accept that they were the claimant’s employer under s.43K(1)(a) / s.43K(2)(a) Employment Rights Act 1996 (“ERA”) from 8 January 2024 – 18 July 2024.
While employed by JLR, the claimant raised concerns on the VinFastCommunity subreddit about the safety of VinFast vehicles, on which he had worked during his employment at JLR's sister company, Tata Technologies Limited (both owned by parent company Tata Motors Limited). The claimant claims that these disclosures are qualifying under s.43B(1)(d) and/or s.43B(1)(f) ERA and protected under s.43G and/or s.43H ERA.
Six weeks after the claimant made his disclosures, he was suspended by JLR, and one week later, his employment at JLR was terminated. The reasons for termination given by JLR at the time were that the disclosures breached the claimant’s Non-Disclosure Agreement with Tata Technologies Limited and breached JLR's code of conduct.
The claimant brings a claim against JLR under s.47B ERA, alleging that he was subjected to various detriments by JLR on the grounds of his protected disclosures, including suspension, termination of his employment and "blacklisting".
Following a 10-day liability hearing before a full panel at West Midlands Employment Tribunal, Employment Judge Meichen and members have reserved judgment.
