Labour Court refuses late appeal by former Stobart Air worker

The Labour Court refused Mr Daragh Bolton’s request to extend the deadline for his appeal against Stobart Air UC In Liquidation, leaving the underlying complaint unheard. The decision was signed on 16 October 2023, and the Court said it had no jurisdiction to hear the substantive appeal; the merits were not decided. Bolton’s appeal under the Terms of Employment (Information) Act concerned a complaint previously found not well founded by an adjudication officer. The Labour Court received his appeal one day after the 42-day deadline. He cited healthcare work, a three-hour daily commute and family difficulties. The employer’s liquidators argued these did not amount to exceptional circumstances. The Court said unfamiliarity with the appeal process could explain the delay but did not excuse it.