Master Education Services Pty Limited v Ketchell

Master Education Services Pty Limited (Master Education) and Mr. Ketchell were parties to a dispute concerning the termination of an employment contract. The case was heard by the High Court of Australia.

The central legal issue before the High Court was whether Master Education's purported termination of Mr. Ketchell's employment was effective, given that the termination notice was not personally served on Mr. Ketchell but rather left at his residential address. This raised questions about the proper construction of the employment contract and the requirements for valid notice of termination under its terms.

The High Court considered the principles of contractual interpretation and the law relating to the service of notices. Their Honours found that the employment contract stipulated that notice of termination was to be given to the employee personally. The Court held that leaving the notice at Mr. Ketchell's residential address did not constitute personal service as required by the contract. Consequently, the termination was deemed ineffective.

The High Court dismissed Master Education's appeal, upholding the decision of the lower court.