Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1998 s.2 is entitled "Determinations without a hearing or full hearing".

(i) on written evidence alone if both parties consent;
(ii) if the respondent has done nothing to defend the case;
(iii) if the applicant is claiming a relief to which he is not entitled or which the tribunal does not have power to grant;
(iv) where the case is bound to be dismissed because of the decision of a superior court (that is, a case in which legal precedent would oblige the tribunal to decide against him);
(iv) the proceedings relate only to a preliminary issue.