Karen Roberton v Stephen Collins

Karen Roberton v Stephen Collins

The relationship between the parties was a partnership, not employment, formed at the Canford meeting in July 2018. The partnership was terminated by the Claimant's email of 15 December 2022. The Defendant lost the right to contest jurisdiction by statutory submission and common law waiver. The Defendant was not an employee under English law and cannot claim unfair dismissal.

Parties
Claimant: Karen Roberton; Defendant: Stephen Collins
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
28 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil / Final Judgment
Outcome
Claim allowed; partnership declared and dissolved; counterclaim dismissed.
Legal Topics
Partnership Formation, Partnership Dissolution, Employment Status, Jurisdiction, Unfair Dismissal
Partnership Law Employment Law Civil Procedure Partnership Formation Partnership Dissolution Employment Status Jurisdiction Unfair Dismissal

Case Brief

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Parties

Karen Roberton

Claimant

Stephen Collins

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the relationship between the parties was a partnership or employment
  2. 2 Whether the partnership was validly terminated
  3. 3 Jurisdiction of the English court

Ratio Decidendi

The relationship between the parties was a partnership, not employment, formed at the Canford meeting in July 2018. The partnership was terminated by the Claimant's email of 15 December 2022. The Defendant lost the right to contest jurisdiction by statutory submission and common law waiver. The Defendant was not an employee under English law and cannot claim unfair dismissal.

Court Disposition

Claim allowed; partnership declared and dissolved; counterclaim dismissed.

Orders

  • There existed between the parties a partnership for the purpose of converting the Property into a hotel or securing further investment.
  • The partnership was terminated by the Claimant on 15 December 2022.