COURT SAYS ‘STOP’: INDUSTRIAL COURT CAN NOW SHUT DOWN PROTESTS & MISINFORMATION DURING ONGOING CASES

This digital podcast clarifies that the Industrial Court possesses the inherent authority to issue cease and desist orders to protect the sanctity of ongoing litigation. The ruling stems from a dispute where a trade union continued to organize protests and publish defamatory content while their case was still being adjudicated.

Although the court cannot grant traditional injunctions, it utilized the Industrial Relations Act 1967 to regulate party conduct and prevent industrial unrest. The court determined that while unions have the right to communicate with members, these rights do not authorize unlawful picketing or the spread of misinformation that prejudices a fair hearing. Ultimately, this decision confirms that employers have a procedural remedy to stop disruptive activities that undermine the administration of justice.