Successful defence of appeal in the Court of Appeal against HSBC

Successful defence of appeal in the Court of Appeal against HSBC


Kilgannon and Partners are pleased to post that our client, Carmen Chevalier-Firescu, has succeeded in defending an appeal from HSBC about the strike out of her claim in the Court of Appeal. Carmen’s claim was initially struck out by the East London Employment Tribunal. One of the reasons given was that it was not just and equitable to extend time. The Employment Appeal Tribunal decided that this needed to be revisited by the Tribunal. This led to HSBC appealing to the Court of Appeal to try and reinstate the original decision.


Carmen was represented in the Court of Appeal by Oliver Segal KC and Elaine Banton, instructed by our Gerard Airey.


The Court of Appeal decided that the decision of the East London Employment Tribunal to strike out Carmen’s claims needed to be looked at again by a new Tribunal to decide if time should be extended.


The Court decided that the 16 factors that the Tribunal had in mind were either completely irrelevant to an assessment of Carmen’s case for extending time, or at best they were marginally relevant. It was accepted that it was Carmen’s case that it was only clear to her in 2020 that she might have a good claim for victimisation and discrimination against HSBC for not getting a role in mid-2018. 


The Court decided that the Tribunal didn’t make a clear sequence of findings about what Carmen knew and when; it wasn’t clear whether there was one or more than one negative reference; and the ET wasn’t clear on what was disclosed in the DSARs of 2018 and 2020 to establish the knowledge Carmen had.


The Court of Appeal’s full reasoning can be found in the Judgment below:

https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewca/civ/2024/1550?query=hsbc&court=ewca%2Fciv


For more publicity on the case head to:

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/hsbc-loses-appeal-over-job-seeking-bankers-discrimination-claim-2024-12-11/


and

https://www.law360.com/financial-services-uk/articles/2272969/hsbc-loses-appeal-in-banker-s-sex-bias-case


Article by

Gerard Airey

ga@kilgannonlaw.co.uk

Our expert employment law solicitors all have many years’ experience advising individuals who are in your position. We will be able to guide you through the process and to help you secure the best possible outcome.


We offer a range of services, so please contact our friendly customer services team to discuss further via hello@kilgannonlaw.co.uk or 0800 915 7777.

This article is for information purposes only and is correct at the time of publication. It does not constitute legal advice 15.12.24


Kilgannon & Partners

By Nicola Cockerill February 3, 2026
Did the use of NHS changing room by transgender woman give rise to claims for harassment and/or indirect discrimination?
Woman with dark hair in a green and gold top, smiling, black background.
By Matthew Kilgannon February 3, 2026
The appeal judgment criticised the original tribunal’s handling of both disability and justification issues. The judgment indicates that employers making dismissals based on assessment of readiness for promotion, without the employee having carried out the work for the role above, will struggle to show that decision is
Man in suit at desk, hands clasped, white mug, wrist watch.
By Gerard Airey January 19, 2026
Ms Sanju Pal succeeds in appeal against Accenture at the Employment Appeal Tribunal – Tribunal’s reasoning on disability discrimination due to endometriosis was “wholly inadequate” and the decision could not stand
Hands forming a heart, both wrists adorned with rainbow bracelets, against a background of denim and black shirts.
By Nicola Cockerill December 18, 2025
A tribunal ruled non-binary identity does not amount to gender reassignment. Learn the legal reasoning and workplace implications with Kilgannon Law.
Houses of Parliament, London, at sunset; orange sky, building reflections on water.
By Nicolla Cockerill December 11, 2025
A tribunal has held that the dismissal of a cleaner working two jobs and 17-hour days was fair. Learn why the decision was upheld, the key factors considered, and what this means for employers managing fatigue and safety risks.
Man handing a paper document to another man at a desk, smiling. Office setting.
By Nicola Cockerill December 10, 2025
Understand how employee share options work, the different types available, and their tax implications. Learn how share schemes can reward staff, attract talent, and support business growth.
Man in suit at desk, interviewing. Person gestures with hand, laptop and documents visible.
By Dominic Holmes November 10, 2025
From 1 December 2025, ACAS early conciliation will double to 12 weeks. Discover what this change means, how it affects tribunal time limits and backlogs, and why more time may not always benefit employees or employers.
Man in a suit with hands clasped, a white mug on the table to his left.
September 1, 2025
Analysis of Sanju Pal v Accenture UK Ltd: appeal on endometriosis, consulting model, and Category A classification in the EAT, 9–10 Dec 2025.
A woman is using a calculator on a wooden table.
By Emily Kidd March 31, 2025
A full time employee that is over 21 will soon be earning nearly £24,000 per annum which could mean that more employees are close to the minimum wage. Having an employee working close to the minimum wage poses risks to businesses. For example, if an employee works any overtime, they may then fall below the minimum wage.
A woman is sitting at a table in an office writing on a piece of paper.
January 13, 2025
Kilgannon & Partners outlines key steps to comply with the new UK duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment. Services include risk assessments, policy updates, staff training, and confidential reporting. Contact us for support.