Justice For Irwin Mitchell Client Follows ‘Arduous’ Three Year Legal Fight

The Central London Employment Tribunal has awarded a six figure sum to a woman represented by employment lawyer Sacha Sokhi at Irwin Mitchell, following a three year legal battle with a Canadian businessman and two of his companies.

The tribunal found in favour of the woman (who cannot be named) on claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, victimisation and breach of contract, against businessman Mr Edward Banayoti, founder of Defence Unlimited International.

Following a brief relationship two years previously, Mr Banayoti had emailed the businesswoman unexpectedly, with a job offer with one of his companies, based in the US. When she rejected his sexual advances, her contract was terminated four days later.

In the remedy judgment handed down on Friday 2 July, employment judge Andrew Glennie found the claimant was not paid during her employment; there had been “significant verbal harassment” and she was dismissed due to refusing Mr Banayoti’s advances.

Judge Glennie also found the respondents had sought to obstruct and delay progress of the case, had conducted proceedings in “an unnecessarily offensive manner” (with some of this aimed directly at the claimant) and had taken a confrontational approach from the outset.

Irwin Mitchell employment lawyer Sacha Sokhi, helped the client secure the six figure sum to help rebuild her life, following an experience which she told the tribunal had left her feeling belittled and ashamed, crushed, devastated, homeless and suicidal.

Expert Opinion

“I am delighted that after a long course of proceedings, our client has been awarded a six figure sum by the Employment Tribunal, which serves as another reminder that sexual advances in the workplace are not acceptable.

“Our client has had an arduous battle over the last three years since her employment ended, with a persistent failure of Mr Banayoti or Defence Unlimited International to acknowledge any wrongdoing towards our client.

“We are pleased that the Tribunal has agreed that the unreasonable conduct of Mr Banayoti and his company, including the pursuit of a baseless defence, merited a sizeable costs order.” Sacha Sokhi - Solicitor

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