Antuzis & Ors v DJ Houghton Catching Services Ltd & Ors

Antuzis & Ors v DJ Houghton Catching Services Ltd & Ors

The Claimants proved, on the balance of probabilities, that they were systematically underpaid, subjected to unlawful deductions for employment fees and excessive rent, denied holiday pay, and suffered aggravated harm due to the Defendants' exploitative conduct. The court accepted the Claimants' methodology and evidence on hours worked and deductions, rejected the Defendants' evidence as not credible, and awarded compensatory damages including a 20% uplift for aggravated damages. Exemplary damages were refused as aggravated damages sufficed.

Parties
Claimant: Nerijus Antuzis and 9 others; 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
Civil / Quantum of Damages Assessment Following Liability Judgment
Outcome
Judgment for the Claimants on quantum; damages awarded against First, Second, and Third Defendants jointly and severally.
Legal Topics
Minimum Wage, Unlawful Deductions, Inducing Breach of Contract, Aggravated Damages, Exemplary Damages, Modern Slavery, Holiday Pay, Accommodation Deductions
Employment Law Contract Law Tort Law Labour Law Minimum Wage Unlawful Deductions Inducing Breach of Contract Aggravated Damages +4 more

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 8 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 5
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Nerijus Antuzis and 9 others

Claimant

DJ Houghton Catching Services Limited

First Defendant

Jacqueline Judge

Second Defendant

Darrell Houghton

Third Defendant

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority

Fourth Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Quantum of Damages Assessment Following Liability Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Assessment of quantum for underpayment of wages and unlawful deductions
  2. 2 Entitlement to aggravated and exemplary damages
  3. 3 Calculation of hours worked and deductions

Ratio Decidendi

The Claimants proved, on the balance of probabilities, that they were systematically underpaid, subjected to unlawful deductions for employment fees and excessive rent, denied holiday pay, and suffered aggravated harm due to the Defendants' exploitative conduct. The court accepted the Claimants' methodology and evidence on hours worked and deductions, rejected the Defendants' evidence as not credible, and awarded compensatory damages including a 20% uplift for aggravated damages. Exemplary damages were refused as aggravated damages sufficed.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the Claimants on quantum; damages awarded against First, Second, and Third Defendants jointly and severally.

Orders

  • Defendants to pay Claimants damages for underpayment of wages, unlawful deductions, holiday pay, and interest as per agreed methodology and findings.
  • Damages to be uplifted by 20% for aggravated damages.