John Heugh wins litigation against Central Petroleum Limited 14.09.05 For Immediate Release Today, 5 September, in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, Justice J Le Miere handed down his decision on the long running c
ase brought by former MD of Central Petroleum, John Heugh, against the Company. The case, CIV 1493 of 2013, originated in a writ against Central registered on 23 March, 2012 with the Supreme Court of Western Australia alleging, inter alia, wrongful dismissal and repudiation of contract.
Counsel for the plaintiff included flamboyant and very successful high profile Perth lawyer Martin Bennett while the lead counsel for Central throughout the trial was Sydney based lawyer, Mr JN West, QC.
Justice Le Miere concluded that Heugh should be paid a total of c.$1.6 million for wrongful termination, consisting of damages for loss of remuneration from balance of contract term, loss of opportunity for higher salary from salary reviews, loss of long service entitlements, loss of opportunity for contract extension and interest. The damages award is considered to be one of the biggest ever in Western Australia.
Heugh said today “This judgement thoroughly vindicates my decision to litigate and allows me to get on with my private life, oil, gas and mining business ventures with a degree of certainty lacking now for over two years.”
The veteran MD was one of two founding directors of Central Petroleum in 1998 and throughout his term of 14 years, while amassing one of the biggest acreage packages in the western world, he focused primarily on oil discovery for early cash flow. Apparently this policy has been reversed by the new management team in favour of a longer term infrastructure and gas focused strategy.
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