Labour Court refuses Solv-X Products’ late appeal in Eoin Cruz dismissal case

The Labour Court refused Solv-X Products Limited’s application to extend the time for its appeal against Eoin Cruz’s unfair-dismissal decision. The determination was signed on 9 March 2017; the merits of the underlying complaint were not decided. The appeal had to reach the Court within 42 days of the Adjudication Officer’s decision, by 19 September 2016. The Court received an incomplete, unsigned appeal on 9 December and complete signed papers on 12 January 2017. The employer said it thought earlier correspondence with the WRC would count as an appeal. It later confirmed the letter had gone to the WRC, could not provide a copy or say when it was sent, and gave no reason for failing to ensure a proper appeal was lodged. The Court found no exceptional circumstances to justify allowing it late.