Adcock v Blackmores Ltd [2016] FCA 893

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Adcock v Blackmores Ltd [2016] FCA 893 Appeal from: Adcock v Blackmores Limited & Ors [2016] FCCA 265 Adcock v Blackmores Limited & Ors (No 2) [2016] FCCA 980

File number: NSD 329 of 2016

Judge: FLICK J

Date of judgment: 5 August 2016

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – position made redundant – decision as to redundancy not a decision to terminate contract of employment – offer of alternative positions – all offers rejected – alleged breach of enterprise agreement CONTRACT – contract of employment – repudiation by employer – need for acceptance of repudiation by employee to bring contract to an end – question of which party terminated the contract PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – leave to raise a new argument not previously relied upon – new claim for breach of contract relied upon – leave refused PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – manner in which case conducted – going beyond pleadings not fatal

Legislation: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), ss 119(1), 345, 539, 570

Cases cited: Adcock v Blackmores Limited & Ors [2016] FCCA 265 Adcock v Blackmores Limited & Ors (No 2) [2016] FCCA 980 Coulton v Holcombe (1986) 162 CLR 1 Fishlock v The Campaign Palace Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 531, (2013) 234 IR 1 House v The King (1935) 55 CLR 499 JR Consulting & Drafting Pty Limited v Cummings [2016] FCAFC 20, (2016) 329 ALR 625 Melbourne Stadiums Ltd v Sautner [2015] FCAFC 20, (2015) 317 ALR 665 Metwally v University of Wollongong (1985) 59 ALJR 481 Mohazab v Dick Smith Electronics Pty Ltd (No 2) (1995) 62 IR 200 Park v Brothers [2005] HCA 73, (2005) 80 ALJR 317 Qantas Airways Limited v Christie [1998] HCA 18, (1998) 193 CLR 280 Tullett Prebon (Aust) Pty Ltd v Purcell [2009] NSWSC 1079 Visscher v Giudice [2009] HCA 34, (2009) 239 CLR 361 Water Board v Moustakas (1988) 180 CLR 491