Wide interpretation given by the Court of Appeal to the right of appeal on a point of law in unfair dismissal cases

Chapter 452 of the Laws of Malta limits the right of appeal of an aggrieved party in cases of unfair dismissal and other cases falling within the jurisdiction of the Industrial Tribunal to points of law only. However, the definition of what constitutes a point of law has recently been given quite a wide interpretation by the Court of Appeal.

Such an example is the case decided last month, on the 8th March 2019 (64/2017), by the Court of Appeal. The Industrial Tribunal found that the employee who had instituted unfair dismissal proceedings had been unfairly dismissed and awarded him compensation in the amount of €2,250. The ex-employee appealed stating that the Tribunal had not provided motivation for this decision and had not considered what article 81 (2) of Chapter 452 provides (setting out guidelines for compensation). The employer argued that the ex-employee could not appeal as there was no point of law to be decided. The Court of Appeal agreed with the ex-employee that a point of law was involved – his complaint was that the Tribunal had not liquidated compensation in the way which the law directs and therefore the Tribunal had not applied the law correctly.

As regards the amount to be liquidated as compensation, the Court made reference to another judgment, Publius Davison vs De La Rue Currency and Security Print Limited (23/04/2018) where it had been held that in cases of unfair dismissal, the applicant had a right to receive compensation which reflects the loss he has suffered as a consequence of the wrong decision of the employer. The law is clear as to what the Tribunal should consider when liquidating compensation and when exercising its discretion the Tribunal should explain in a clear manner how compensation has been liquidated. The Tribunal should not just decide on an amount without any motivation. Having considered all circumstances of the case, the Court of Appeal went on to liquidate compensation itself and increased it to €15,000. Interesting to note is the Court's comment that in such cases the employee should mitigate damages and bring evidence that he has tried to find alternative employment since the date of the dismissal.