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\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10971572 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12918022\charrsid10971572 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9833918 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid12918022 CENTRAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12918022 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12918022\charrsid12918022 
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\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1267326 Civil Jurisdiction
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 Scott, J
\par 7 December, 2000}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 HBC}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12652042  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 567}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12652042 /}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 96}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 S}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3763547 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid12918022 Unfair dismissal - whether dismissal was breach of contract of employment - whether Plaintiff had started a new 3 year contract - whether Plainti}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 ff was entitled to compensation}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12652042 .}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid12918022 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12918022\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
The Plaintiff group finance manager and company secretary sought the defendant assistance in securing a permanent visa extension to Australia to allow him to continue working with the defendant company. After obtaining advice, the parent company issued a 
letter confirming its agreement to extend the employment of the plaintiff for 2-3 additional years. The General Manager dismissed the plaintiff on allegations that he had shown h}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 i}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 m public disrespect. The plaintiff filed a writ claiming unfair dismissal. An 
alternative action in defamation against Mr Thomas Raja, General Manager was not proceeded with and dismissed.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid12918022 Held}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12857893  -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6180238  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 (1) }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 An employer was entitled to dismiss an employee when a contract of service based on trust has broken down and cannot be fully restored;}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 (2) An employer cannot rely on summary dismissal where the employer gives an employee 3 months' pay in lieu of notice;
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 (3) The "fair and reasonable" treatment of employees which may}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12652042  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 be expected of a large company equipped with a fully fledged personnel department cannot be compared to a small private organization;
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 (4) A provision of a contract as to fixed term, being oral, cannot be enforced.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12918022\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The plaintiff failed to establish legal entitlement to summary dismissal and was contractually only entitled to 3 month's pay in lieu of notice, which he accepted.
\par 
\par [}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1267326 N}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 ote: this case was reversed on appeal].}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid1267326 Cases referred to in judgment}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid1267326 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1267326 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 oll }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid9833918 Diners Club (NZ) Ltd v Narayan}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572  FCA Civ. App. ABU}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12652042  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 4}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12652042 /}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 96
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{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid9833918 Korovulavula v PSC}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  FCA Reps 94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5975436 /}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 415
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1267326 c}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 ons }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid9833918 Marlborough Harbour Board v Gaulden}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  [1985] 2 NZLR 378}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid5975436 B.C. Patel}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid12652042  }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid12652042 for the Plaintiff}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid5975436 
\par Barrie N Sweetman}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid8672720  }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid12652042 for the }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720\charrsid12652042 D}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid12652042 efendant}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid5975436 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5975436 7 December, 2000.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5975436 {\b\fs24\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid9833918 JUDGMENT}{\b\fs24\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3763547 {\fs24\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid10971572 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid9833918 Scott, J
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 On 6 June 1995, while he was employed by the Defendant as Group Finance Manager and Company Secretary}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12652042 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  the Plaintiff was dismissed. The}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12918022  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
questions before the Court are}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13715932 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  whether the dismissal constituted a breach of the Plaintif}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13715932 \rquote }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
s contract of employment and if so to what extent he is entitled to compensation. An alternative action in defamation against the Defendant's General Manager, Mr. Thomas Raju (Raju)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 
 was not proceeded with and Raj}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 u was dismissed from the suit.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The amended Statement of Claim was filed on 14 March 2000. The amended Defence was filed on 13 November 20}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3949193 0}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 0. An agreed bundle of 78 documents was filed by consent and there was also a Defence Exhibit of 6 pages. At the conclusion of the hearing (which was unfortunate
ly delayed by the events of May 2000) both Counsel handed up and spoke to written submissions. I am grateful to both Counsel for their assistance to me during the trial.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The Plaintiff was his only witness. The Defendant Company (CMC) called Raju and 3 other witnesses.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The Plaintiff told me that he had joined CMC in 1988 as an accountant. It is not disputed that he was good at his job and he rose steadily within th}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 e company (Document 4). By April}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  1991}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12652042 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  he had risen to the position of Group Accountant and that at that time his basic terms and conditions of employment were those set out in Documents 5, 6, 7 & 8.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 In March 1992, the Plaintiff was appointed Group Finance Manager and Company Secretary. Beyond an announcement on the Company's notice board, there 
was no formal letter of appointment. However by July 1994}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12652042 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  the Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12652042 \rquote }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s salary package was as set out in Documents 39 & 40.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid13047966 In}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  February 1995}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13047966 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  the Plaintiff went to see Raju. He explained that his permanent residence visa for Australia was due to expire
 in the following July he had to make a long term decision as to his future plans.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s evidence at this point, is that Raju told him that he wanted the Plaintiff to stay on with CMC for a further 3}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 
 years. After thinking about it}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
the Plaintiff told Raju that providing CMC would help him to obtain a visa extension so he would be willing to stay on. Raju then agreed to the Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s application to take leave to travel to Australia on holiday with the additional aim of securing a vi
sa extension. He recommended that the Plaintiff seek the assistance of CMC's parent company, Rothmans Holdings Ltd to secure the extension.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The Plaintiff went to Australia on }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 or }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
about 20 February (Document 42). On }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11673037 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720  March (Doc}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s 43 & 43A) }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 he wrote to Mr. Grant Le}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13047966 i}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
oux at Rothmans Holdings Ltd seeking his assistance by providing a "letter of secondment to serve Rothmans Fiji as Group Manager Finance and Information Services Company Secretary". On 13 March, after advice had been obtained from Coopers and Lybra
nd, immigration consultants, Document 47 was p}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 repared. It is a letter from Le}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13047966 i}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 oux to Raju "confirming our understanding that you wish to extend the period of time (the Plaintiff) is to be employed in Fiji for an additional 2 or 3 years" and}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 confirming Rothmans Holdings Ltd's agreement to "this extension".}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10172189 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 After he returned to Fiji}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13047966 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  the Plaintiff received a letter from Coopers and Lybrand seeking payment for their advice and submission in relation to the visa. This bill was paid by CMC with Raju's agreement.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10172189 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3763547 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
\par The circumstances surrounding the extension of the visa are important and will have to be returned to since they provide the foundation for one of the Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s alternative claims, which is that the contract under which he was employed was not that un
der which he had previously been employed on the conditions already noted (Docs 5-8 and 39 & 40) but that it was a new fixed term contract of 3 years duration.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9833918\charrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10172189 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 In May 1995, the Plaintiff received a request from o
ne of his accountants, Naven Govind, to attend the annual conference of the Fiji Institute of Accountants.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
The Plaintiff approved the request. He told me that he did not consult Raju before giving his approval but that he did discuss the matter with Raju a
 little later. Raju was concerned that two accountants would be absent at the same time but the Plaintiff pointed out that at least part of the conference was to be held over the weekend. Raju was obviously not happy with what had occurred and on 1 June h
e sent an admonitory memorandum to the Plaintiff, copied to the other three managers, a copy of which is document 57.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3763547 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
\par This memorandum "very much" upset the Plaintiff and provoked him to send a fairly sharp reply on the same day, document 58.
\par 
\par The Plaintiff told me that he met Raju the next day, Thursday and also met him again on the day after but they did not discuss the exchange of memoranda. In the Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s words: "I did not get the impression that Raju was unhappy with me". However all this changed on the following Monday, 6 June.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
The Plaintiff told me that as soon as he arrived at work that morning, he realised that something was wrong. Unusually, Raju's motor car was already there in the car park. He also saw a security guard in the Sales Manager's office.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
There was tension in the air. He spoke to Raju's secretary who told him that Raju had asked to see a copy of the terms and conditions of employment of senior managers. He decided to go an}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10172189 
d see Raju. When he went to see }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 Raju, Raju dismissed him. Lat
er that day he made a diary note of what had transpired at the meeting. A copy of the note is contained in paragraph 5 of his Solicitor's letter dated 19 December 1995, Docs 64, 65 and 66. With the exception of the last TVR paragraph on page 65, the note 
is accepted by the Defendant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5583103  as being }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
reasonably accurate. A copy of the termination letter referred to on page 65 is document 59 while a note which followed it and which apparently accompanied the delivery of the Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s personal effects at home is copied as document 60.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The Plaintiff told me that after he was dismissed by CMC, he tried unsuccessfully to find work in Fiji (Do}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 c}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 . 78). He then emigrated to New Zealand but was not able to find employment at all until 1997 when he was at last able to secure a position as assistant manager in a supermarket.
\par 
\par As will be seen from documents 62, 65 and 72 Raju believed that the Plaintiff had been publicly disrespectful to him, that he had fallen into the habit of belittling him b
ehind his back and disclosing confidential information about him. When these matters were put to the Plaintiff in cross-examination, he conceded that he had a duty to respect his General Manager, that he had a duty to be faithful and loyal to him and that
 
an employee should not breach the duty of trust and confidence placed in him by his employer. He also conceded that breach of these duties could, if serious, provide grounds for dismissal. But he denied that he had ever breached these duties as claimed by
 Raju. In particular}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13728820 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 he denied denigrating Raju, denied ridiculing him, denied discussing his salary, expenses and other claims, denied criticising him and denied boasting that he had "told the old man of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 . His evidence was that he had never said anything
 derogatory about Raju to anyone at any time. While he might possibly have questioned some of the operational decisions taken by Raju}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13728820 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  he certainly had never said anything along the lines of "what the hell does the old man know?" or "he should be retiring now, he is earning a fat salary and should not be here!}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5583103 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10172189\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid815968 The Plaintiff}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid815968 
s case is that Raju had no valid ground for dismissing him, that the true reasons for the dismissal were never given to him, that he was never given an opportunity to refute the alleg
ations made against him, that his contract of employment did not include a 3 month termination clause and that in all the circumstances his dismissal was both wrongful and unfair.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10172189\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 As would be expected, the Defendant's case is very different.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9116118 Thomas Raj}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 u 
told me that he joined CMC in 1961 and that he was CMC's Chief Executive Officer for 20 years before his retirement in 1998. He first came to know the Plaintiff in 1988 when he joined CMC. Although the Plaintif}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s work performance was generally satisfactor
y and had even attracted some glowing references such as documents 32, 39 and 54}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13728820 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  there were also problems, some of which a}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 re referred to in Document 25. I}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 was told by Raju that the Plaintiff had something of a personality problem and that this problem bec
ame more noticeable with time. "He had a know it all type chip on his shoulder". Clearly, however, this problem was not sufficient to prevent his steady rise up the ranks to the senior position which he finally achieved.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10172189\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 Raju's}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 account of the events in 19
95 was in marked contrast to what I had been told by the Plaintiff. While Raju agreed that he and the Plaintiff did discuss the Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s visa problems, he denied any variation of contract. He told me that he had not seen the letter and associated }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 docume}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 nts from Grant Le}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13728820 i}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 oux (Doc}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
s 43, 44, 45, 46 & 47) before discovery took place in these proceedings. The Plaintiff was never an employee of Rothmans Limited. None of the CMC's other employees had fixed term contracts and he denied agreeing to one in the Plaintif}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
s case or to any "extension" of the contract under which he was employed. While he admitted reimbursing the Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s visa expenses, he had done this merely to help.
\par 
\par So far as the Accountants Conference was concerned, Raju did not dispute receiving or sending the memoranda. He did however emphatically deny that the Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s memorandum to him (Doc 58) was the reason he dismissed the Plaintiff. Although he was unhappy with the Plaintif}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s reply}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13728820 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  he "decided to let the matter rest" and gave the memorandum to his PA to file away. According to Raju}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13728820 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  it was not at all what happened on 1 June which led }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
the Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8672720 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s dismissal}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13728820 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  but what happened 2 days later, that is on 3 & 4 June.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10172189\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
On 3 June a relatively junior member of staff, one Ajen Diwakar, came to see him. Raju told me that Dewakar came to complain about the Plaintiff who was his immediate Superior and to tell Raju that he could no longer work with}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid8548853 him. In the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  cou
rse of the conversation, Diwakar told him that the Plaintiff had been making derogatory remarks about him (Raju) behind his back, had been belittling him and running him down. The Plaintiff had alleged that Raju had only reached his position by "sucking u
p to the white man", that he was too old, that he was overpaid and that he had falsified his expenses.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 Raju told me that he was extremely upset by Diwakar's information and he therefore decided to call in his 2 other senior managers Messrs Subhag and Khan 
the following morning to see whether they would corroborate what Diwakar had told him. The next morning, in essence they did. Having no reason to disbelieve what he had been told "I decided that I could no longer trust the Plaintiff and work with him. He 
was very senior and had all the company details. I decided most probably to part with him. I thought about it over the weekend. I decided I could not trust him. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11883077 On 6}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572  June I went to work at 8 a.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 m.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 I personally typed the termination letter" (Doc 59). "Later in the morning my PA}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 told me that the Plaintiff wanted}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 to see me.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The Plaintiff came in.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 He immediately became ver}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 y apologetic about writing the 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 June memorandum. I told him I had no problem with it. I told him I can no longer trust you or work with you. I gave him the termination letter. It was in a sealed envelope. He pleaded to me }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8523462 
to reverse my decision. I said I}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  would think it over. I said there is a taxi waiting or I can have you dropped off.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 He was then taken home".}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8523462 Following Raj}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
u's lengthy cross-examination, 3 more witnesses were called. The first was Ajendra Diwakar whose evidence was consistent with what Raju had told me. Diwakar told me that he had gone to see Raju to complain}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 about the Plaintiff, his immediate superior. It had "become unbeara}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid723490 
ble" to work with the Plaintiff.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 Whenever Raju overruled any decision taken by the Plaintiff he would make "personal and professional comments" about him. Examples were "what does the old fart know? He should be retiring. He is already on 
a salary of 2K+. He has no professional background" and "A person who cannot have his own child, how can he succeed as a professional?". In cross-examination Diwakar denied that his evidence was exaggerated or misleading.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid7282195 The next 2 witness}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8523462 es}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid7282195 
 can be taken shortly, Mr. Khan told me that the Plaintiff had developed the habit of making disparaging remarks about Raju,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572\charrsid7282195  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid7282195 particularly in the months prior to his dismissal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 Typical of the remarks made were "I've just told the old man off" or "he is not qualified for his job". The Plaintiff had also implied that Raju was cheating on his expenses. On Saturday morning 4 June, he told Raju what he had been hearing.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The last witness was Joel Sahai, also a manager with CMC. Sahai told me that he had worked wi
th the Plaintiff quite closely. He told me that "as time progressed I found that (the Plaintiff) had an air of egotism. He was arrogant at times with a chip on his shoulder. The other managers also found this. As time went on relations between him and his
 staff became strained". Mr. Sahai went on to tell me that on two occasions he had heard the Plaintiff say in the general office "I told off the old man this morning" and "the old man does not know his job".}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The damaging allegations made by the 2 last witnesses were not challenged.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 As I see it, the principal legal questions which have to be answered here are}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2378688 ;}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  (1) what was the Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8523462 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s contract of service with the Defendant at the time that it was determined}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2378688 ;}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  (2) under what provision of the contract, if any, was he dismissed}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2378688 ;}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  (3) was the Defendant entitled to dismiss the Plaintiff}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2378688 ;}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 and (4) if not, what is the measure of damages?}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid4009086 In my opinion, the Plaintiff}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8523462 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid4009086 
s contract of service was essentially the same as that set out at documents}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7035854  5 to 8. This, I accept, was CMC}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid4009086 
's basic contract of service for senior managers.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 While of course, technically, each promotion would give rise to a new contract embodying a new higher salary and perhaps other enhanced entitlements, the basic terms would, I am satisfied, remain the same. I accept Raju's evidence that it was company pol
icy not to enter into fixed term contracts. I note that Document 47 speaks not of a fixed term of 3 years but of "two or three" years}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2378688 .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  I also note that in Document 43 and 43A}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2378688 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 the Plaintiff states that the purpose of the 3 years was to upgrade his qualifications which was not what he told me in evidence. He told me that CMC required him for 3 more }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2447838 
years because "I had appointed 2}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  new accountants and there were other developments. That is why Raju wanted me to stay on for a further 3 years". On the evidence b
efore me I do not accept that Raju ever intended to enter into a fixed 3 year contract of employment with the Plaintiff. In any event, as pointed out by Mr. Sweetman such a contract, being oral}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2378688 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  would by statute be unenforceable.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The next question is which of the termination clauses was invoked by Raju. This topic was the subject of very much q}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13114036 
uestioning, but to my mind the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 answer is quite straightforward.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 At one point in his evidence Raju said: "In my view I had a right summarily to dismiss him. But I too
k a softer stand. We paid the Plaintiff 3 months pay on severance. I exercised the option under the contract".}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 As pointed out by Mr. Patel}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2378688 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 the Defendant's right summarily to dismiss the Plaintiff was not pleaded.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 The Defence, as pleaded, I have to say was}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 somewhat unhelpfully }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8523462 b}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 are.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
But as I see it, there was no need to plead the right summarily to dismiss since that right was not being relied upon. The Defendant's case was simply that it had given the Plaintiff 3 months pay in lieu of notice and required 
him immediately to leave the company. Now that, in my view, is not a summary dismissal. A summary dismissal would be a dismissal without notice and without pay. While I accept that document 5 does not specifically include a provision for payment in lieu o
f notice, the practice of paying in lieu is well established and in my view quite unobjectionable (see e.g. Chitty on Contracts 24th Edn para 3612).
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10971572 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3763547 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
In my opinion the most important question is the third: was the Defendant entitled to dismiss the Plaintiff?
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10971572 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid87200 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 In answering this question, Counsel took widely different approaches. Mr. Sweetman relied on }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid10971572 Diners Club (NZ) Ltd v. Narayan}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7219096  FCA Civ. App. ABU}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 4}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090 /}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
96 and argued that since CMC had an absolute right to terminate the contract on 3 months notice}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 the question of justification simply did not arise.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10971572 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3763547 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
Mr. Patel, on the other hand, as will be seen from his very learned written submission, suggested that the dismissal was unjustified and unfair both substantively and procedurally.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 As pointed out in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid8523462 Diners Club }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
"Fiji does not have legislative provisions protecting employees from arbitrary or unjustified dismissal as is the case in England, Australia and New Zealand. Accordingly}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  the rights and liabilities of the parties fall to be determined in accordance with the proper construction to be placed on the termination clause".}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10971572 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3763547 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
The Fiji Court of Appeal was, of course, only dealing with the rights of parties in private as opposed to public law. In Fiji, as in England, Australia and New Zealand the concept of
 fairness plays an important part in public law and even in private law if it h}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 as a significant public element}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 ; see }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid10971572 Korovulavula v. PSC}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  FCA Reps 94/415). But here}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  we are dealing with a really quite small company with an even smaller managerial team who al
l worked very closely together (see Document 3) and it is against that background that the actions of Raju must be ju}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8523462 d}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
ged. While I do not for one moment question that:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10971572 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid87200 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 "there are few if any relationships of employment, public or private to which the requi
rements of fairness have no application whatever" (}{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid10971572 Marlborough Harbour Board v. Gaulden}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572  [1985] 2 NZLR 378, 383)}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1392327 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3763547 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 the "fair and reasonable" treatment which may be 
expected of a large company equipped with a fully fledged personnel department will not be the same as that to be expected of a small private organisation of the type under consideration.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 Having heard and seen the witnesses, I have no hesitation in conclu
ding that the Plaintiff had, in fact, as alleged, fallen into the habit of denigrating Raju both by making hurtful personal remarks about him and by questioning his professional}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 competence}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 and}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 integrity. In these circumstances, I find that}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 Raju was fully entitled to conclude that the essential relationship of trust between them without which they could not work together had been }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572\charrsid3763547 ir}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 r}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572\charrsid3763547 etri}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 e}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572\charrsid3763547 vably}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 broken. Disloyalty (like dishonesty) is quite different from mere laziness or incompetence or lack of commitment each of which can be the subject of improvement. Once trust between individuals has been broken, it cannot ever fully be restored.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3175566 As I find it, Raju, after making all necessary and reasonable enquiries}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3175566  reached the sensible conclusion that he could no longer trust the Plaintiff and that therefore}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3175566  the Plaintiff}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  could no longer work with him. I accept that the}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8523462 memorandum of 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  June was not the c
ause of the dismissal not only because I accept Raju's evidence on that point but also because it is consistent with what the Plaintiff himself told me}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8523462 .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  "On Thursday and Friday I did }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 not get the impression that Raj}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
u was unhappy with me". Granted, Raju had already decided to dismiss the Plaintiff when they met on th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 e morning of 6 June but that he}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547  fairly agreed to reconsider his decision is evident from Document 60. The Plaintif}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 f}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8523462 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 s claim really amounts to the suggestion that Raju acted caprici}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572 ously. O}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 n all the evidence}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090  before me I am satisfied that h}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 e did not.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 In my opinion}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 the Defendant was contractually entitled to dismiss the Plaintiff on 3 months notice. It paid him 3 months salary in lieu of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10971572  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
notice which he accepted. I do not find that the Plaintiff has established any other legal entitlement and accordingly}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 
 the action fails and is dismissed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid87200\charrsid3763547 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10971572 {\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid10971572 Action is dismissed.}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10441090\charrsid10971572 
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8523462 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3763547\charrsid3763547 Marie Chan
\par }}