Defence Force Captain Awarded Significantly Lower Payout in Case Against Employer
Defence Force Captain Javonson Willock was recently awarded damages worth EC$25,000 by the High Court following a case against the Chief of Defence Staff.
The dispute arose from allegations of misconduct against Willock when the ABDF sought his resignation.
The case was initially brought forward in 2021, when disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him for alleged misconduct.
The Chief of Defence Staff expressed concerns about the potential impact of the captain’s behavior on discipline within the ABDF, leading to the conclusion that his position was no longer tenable.
However, the High Court deemed these allegations invalid in 2023.
The amount awarded to the captain was significantly lower than the $380,000 he had initially sought, which included general, exemplary, aggravated, and vindicatory damages.
Justice Jan Drysdale’s decision to award him EC$25,000
While the court found insufficient evidence to support several of the captain’s claims, such as the impact on his marriage, it acknowledged the detrimental effects of the flawed disciplinary procedure, including the ridicule and the denial of legal representation and access to evidence.
In December, Justice Drysdale issued an interim injunction preventing the ABDF from altering the captain’s employment status.
Additionally, two other ABDF officers, Austin Buntin and Marlan Mathurin, have also taken legal action to prevent the ABDF from altering their ranks in a way that could result in the loss of wages and pensions. (Story Credit NewsCo)
This story was first published by Antigua News on July 3, 2024: antigua.news/2024/07/03/defence-force-captain-awarded-significantly-lower-payout-in-case-against-employer. © 2024 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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