Keeping your place in the Maadi Cup rowing team could prove expensive for all parties.
An injunction costs approximately $15,000 to $20,000, according to Hasting Lawyer Jol Bates.
Bates represented the Battison family in the Bay last year when St John’s College pupil, Lucan Battison, was suspended for refusing the school’s request to cut his long hair.
He predicted that, depending on whether the case proceeded to a full hearing, damages similar to those awarded to Battison – $24,000 – could be awarded.
Justice Rachel Dunningham, who granted the interim injunction, directed the boys’ fathers to file a formal statement of claim by 5pm on Wednesday or the interim injunction would be lifted.
Half an hour before the deadline, the parents’ released a short statement through their lawyer Andrew Marsh saying they had applied to the high court for a “short extension” to allow discussions with the school to continue.
“All I will say is I would like it to be settled out of court and the indication we have had from the school is that that’s where they would like to see it as well,” said one of the parents.
On Thursday a short extension of time was agreed by the Court to allow those discussions with the school to continue.
“In the meantime the parties have agreed that while those discussions are ongoing no further comment will be made by the parties,” said Marsh, in a brief statement on Thursday afternoon.
Two St Bede’s College students were excluded from the school’s Maadi Cup rowing team after breaching Auckland Airport security last Friday.
There were riding on the Jetstar carousel at the domestic terminal.
St Bede’s College lawyer Andrew McCormick had earlier said he had been expecting the statement of claim to be filed.
He said that the school would then compile a response and have that filed early next week.
If there was a hearing it would then likely be heard in the next 2-3 months said McCormick.
“The regatta finishes later this week, so the question posed is whether the decision was lawful or not, and that doesn’t need to happen this week,” McCormick said.
Both parties wanted a swift resolution, he added.
“Nobody wants it dragging on. The school wants things to die down so the whole rowing team can focus on the best they can this week.”
“It’s been really disruptive up there, as you could imagine. All of the St Bede’s kids are getting much more attention than they would otherwise.”
- Maadi Cup rowers egged on to carousel by teammates
- Nelson headmaster slams ‘infantile’ St Bede’s parents
- Mai Chen: St Bede’s decision raises questions
- Stuff Editorial: St Bede’s decision straightforward
- New Zealand Herald Editorial: Schools need more leeway from the law
- Board backs St Bede’s ban on Maadi Cup rowers
- ‘If you don’t like something, you lawyer up’ – Teachers fear St Bede’s rowing ban row sets ‘dangerous precedent’
- Rowing decision a dangerous precedent – principal
- Close eye on school case
Source
