State-owned entity not required to furnish security when instituting review applications

© Maksim Kabakou – 123RF.com

Unless the Labour Court directs otherwise, the security furnished in respect of arbitration awards that order reinstatement and reemployment must be equivalent to 24 months’ remuneration and, if compensation is awarded, the security furnished must be equivalent to the amount of compensation awarded.

This amendment, as interpreted by the Labour Court, allows the Labour Court to decide whether security must be paid and the amount of security required.

In Free State Gambling and Liquor Authority v Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration & Others in 2015, the applicant, a gambling and liquor industries regulator, brought two urgent applications seeking to stay the certification and enforcement of two arbitration awards. The applicant also sought an order absolving it from paying security; alternatively, relief declaring the amendment unconstitutional.

The court held that the amendment “should also be read to allow for the court to exercise its unfettered discretion to order that security be paid or not, and if so, whether there should be a deviation from the quantum…” In arriving at its decision, the court took into account that the amendment was drafted to speed up the finalisation of review applications and to deter litigants that bring review applications to delay compliance with arbitration awards. The court held that its interpretation was aligned with the Constitution.

State entities not required to supply security

The court held that where Treasury Regulations and the Public Finance Management Act govern the applicant’s budget and financial management, as was the case, the object of security is satisfied. The court was of the view that it was impractical and unnecessary for the applicant to furnish security as it meant that a notice would have to be gazetted by the Minister of Finance each time security is furnished.

Flowing from the Free State Gambling decision, state owned entities are unlikely to be required to furnish security when instituting review applications. However, in respect of private employers the court has a discretion to direct whether security is required and if so the amount.