Case No. UKUT-0269-(LC)

54. It is unfortunate that the claimants have chosen to distance themselves entirely from the process, particularly as they received the following advice provided on behalf of the Tribunal’s Registrar in a letter dated 16 March 2016:“… the Registrar notes that you say you are not willing to participate in the proceedings currently before the Tribunal. He says that you cannot be forced to participate, but your failure to participate will not stop or invalidate the proceedings. They will continue without you and the Tribunal will determine whatever compensation you may be entitled to based upon the evidence and arguments presented by Northumberland County Council alone. You will be bound by the Tribunal’s decision whether or not you participate. He therefore urges you to think again and reconsider your decision.”In my view the claimants have not helped themselves by taking this stance – particularly in respect of such matters as the claim for redundancy pay where if they had chosen not to ignore the Council’s requests for further proof, they would have been entitled to compensation under this head if such information had been forthcoming. 55. Compensation is determined as follows: First claimant Value of freehold interest £150,000Claimant’s time £ 2,000Basic loss payment