Qantas Airways Limited v Nick Rohrlach [2021] NSWSC 260

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Qantas Airways Limited v Nick Rohrlach [2021] NSWSC 260 Hearing dates: 16 March 2021 Decision date: 19 March 2021 Jurisdiction: Equity - Commercial List Before: Hammerschlag J Decision: (1) The plaintiff's motion filed 5 March 2021 is dismissed (2) These proceedings are stayed until further order Catchwords: CONTRACT – Exclusive jurisdiction clause in favour of Singapore in an employment contract between the plaintiff and the first defendant – Post-employment restraint covenant – The plaintiff and first defendant later executed a further agreement relating to an overseas employment assignment under the original employment contract and requiring the first defendant to execute a Deed Poll containing a further post-employment restraint covenant – The plaintiff gave notice of resignation and plans to commence employment with the second defendant, one of the plaintiff's competitors – Plaintiff seeks to enforce Deed Poll restraint covenant in this Court – First defendant has commenced proceedings in Singapore for a negative declaration that he is not bound by the restraint – First defendant seeks a stay of these proceedings in this Court – Plaintiff seeks an injunction restraining the first defendant from moving the Singapore for an injunction to restrain the proceedings in this Court – HELD – The proceedings in this Court should be stayed because they are covered by the exclusive jurisdiction clause and there are not strong reasons why it should not be enforced – The plaintiff's claim for an anti-anti-suit injunction is to be dismissed Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Aggeliki Charis Compania Maritima SA v Pagnan SpA (The Angelic Grace) [1995] 1 Lloyd's Rep 87 Akai Pty Ltd v People's Insurance Co Ltd (1996) 188 CLR 418 Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Rights Association Ltd (1973) 129 CLR 99 Australian Health and Nutrition Association Ltd v Hive Marketing Group Pty Ltd (2019) 99 NSWLR 419 Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes v Wilson (1954) 94 CLR 577 CSR Ltd v Cigna Insurance Australia Ltd (1997) 189 CLR 345 Electricity Generation Corporation Ltd v Woodside Energy Ltd (2014) 251 CLR 640 FAI General Insurance Co Ltd v Ocean Marine Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association Ltd (1997) 41 NSWLR 117 Francis Travel Marketing Pty Ltd v Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd (1996) 39 NSWLR 160 Global Partners Fund Ltd v Babcock & Brown Ltd (in liq) (2010) 267 ALR 144 Global Partners Fund Ltd v Babcock & Brown Ltd (in liq) (2010) 79 ACSR 383 Huddart Parker Ltd v Ship "Mill Hill" (1950) 81 CLR 502 Incitec Ltd v Alkimos Shipping Corp [2005] FCA 191 McCann v Switzerland Insurance Australia Ltd (2000) 203 CLR 579 Mount Bruce Mining Pty Ltd v Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd (2015) 256 CLR 104 Oceanic Sun Line Special Shipping Co Inc v Fay (1988) 165 CLR 197 Owners of Cargo lately laden on board ship or vessel Eleftheria v The Eleftheria (Owners) [1969] 2 All ER 641 Pacific Carriers Ltd v BNP Paribas (2004) 218 CLR 451 Wilkie v Gordian Runoff Ltd (2005) 221 CLR 522 Zhu v Treasurer of the State of New South Wales (2004) 218 CLR 530 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Qantas Airways Limited - Plaintiff Nick Rohrlach - First Defendant Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd - Second Defendant Representation: Counsel: