Antuzis & Ors v DJ Houghton Catching Services Ltd & Ors [2021] EWHC 971 (QB) (23 April 2021)

Antuzis & Ors v DJ Houghton Catching Services Ltd & Ors [2021] EWHC 971 (QB) (23 April 2021)

The claimants were entitled to damages for unpaid minimum wage, unlawful deductions, and holiday pay, calculated according to the agreed methodology based on hours worked, including travel and on-call time. Deductions for employment fees were unlawful, and accommodation deductions were disallowed where the premises were unfit for habitation or exceeded statutory caps. The second and third defendants were personally liable for inducing the company's breaches. Aggravated and exemplary damages were justified due to the exploitative and oppressive conduct amounting to modern slavery.

Citation
[2021] EWHC 971 (QB)
Parties
Claimants: Nerijus Antuzis and 9 others; Claimant: Tomas Necajus; Claimant: Pranas Stirblys; First Defendant: DJ Houghton Catching Services Limited; Second Defendant: Jacqueline Judge; Third Defendant: Darrell Houghton; Fourth Defendant: The Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 April 2021
Procedural Posture
High Court Civil Claim (queen's Bench Division) / Quantum Trial Following Liability Judgment
Outcome
Judgment for the claimants on quantum; damages awarded against the first, second, and third defendants jointly and severally.
Legal Topics
Minimum Wage, Unlawful Deductions, Holiday Pay, Aggravated Damages, Exemplary Damages, Modern Slavery, Inducement of Breach of Contract, Accommodation Deductions
Employment Law Contract Law Labour Law Human Rights Minimum Wage Unlawful Deductions Holiday Pay Aggravated Damages +4 more

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Parties

Nerijus Antuzis and 9 others

Claimants

Tomas Necajus

Claimant

Pranas Stirblys

Claimant

DJ Houghton Catching Services Limited

First Defendant

Jacqueline Judge

Second Defendant

Darrell Houghton

Third Defendant

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority

Fourth Defendant

Procedural Posture

High Court Civil Claim (queen's Bench Division) / Quantum Trial Following Liability Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Assessment of quantum for unpaid minimum wage and unlawful deductions
  2. 2 Entitlement to holiday pay and interest
  3. 3 Lawfulness of deductions for employment fees and accommodation

Ratio Decidendi

The claimants were entitled to damages for unpaid minimum wage, unlawful deductions, and holiday pay, calculated according to the agreed methodology based on hours worked, including travel and on-call time. Deductions for employment fees were unlawful, and accommodation deductions were disallowed where the premises were unfit for habitation or exceeded statutory caps. The second and third defendants were personally liable for inducing the company's breaches. Aggravated and exemplary damages were justified due to the exploitative and oppressive conduct amounting to modern slavery.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the claimants on quantum; damages awarded against the first, second, and third defendants jointly and severally.

Orders

  • Damages for unpaid minimum wage, unlawful deductions, and holiday pay to all claimants as per the court's assessment.
  • Aggravated and exemplary damages awarded to claimants.