Two separate questions
A dismissal can be lawful and still be unfair. Severance addresses the first question; unfair dismissal compensation addresses the second. Employers frequently prepare for one and are surprised by the other.
The documents that decide the case
Workplace rules, the employment contract, written warnings, appraisal records and the investigation file. If these do not exist, or contradict each other, the employer usually loses regardless of the underlying facts.
Misconduct versus performance
Serious misconduct and poor performance are treated very differently. Performance issues generally require a documented improvement process before dismissal becomes defensible.
Calculating the exit payment
Severance by length of service, payment in lieu of notice, and accrued leave — using the correct wage base. Whether allowances count as wages is a common source of dispute.
The meeting itself
The termination meeting is where carefully prepared positions are most often undone. Have the letter finalised, the calculation ready, and a note-taker present.