The claimant was part of a workforce which was not unionised and the employer had made no arrangements in relation to the election of a relevant employee representatives. More than 20 employees, including the claimant, were then made redundant by the employer, prior to which no collective consultation took place. The claimant came before the tribunal seeking a protective award. The employer had not shown that there were any special circumstances which rendered it not reasonably practicable to carry out any collective consultation process whatsoever. Furthermore, the employer could not show that it took such steps towards compliance with the requirements of Article 216 of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order, as were reasonably practicable in such circumstances. 

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