OTTOMAN BANK Vs. ETIENNE CHAKARIAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In this action the plaintiff, who is respondent in the leading appeal, seeks to recover damages for wrongful dismissal from the defendant Bank, who are appellants in the leading appeal. The trial Judge found the appellants liable in damages, which he assessed on an alternative basis. The appellants appealed to the Supreme Court of Cyprus, who affirmed the trial Judge on the question of liability, but directed the re- assessment of damages on a lower basis. Prom that judgment the leading appeal was taken by the appellants on the question of liability, and the respondent has taken a Gross-appeal on the question of damages. The respondent, who was an Armenian and a Turkish subject, became a temporary employee of the appellant Bank in 1901 at the branch office at Aidin in Turkish Asia Minor. In 1903 he entered the permanent service of the Bank, and subscribed to a book of regulations, called " Caisse de Pensions et de Retraite," which deals with conditions of service and a contributory pension fund for the staff. He continued in their service until 27th January 1923, when he was dismissed without notice and without pension under the circumstances referred to later.

(2.) The respondent remained at the Aidin Branch until 1913, when he went to the Sokia Branch, from which he was re-transferred to Aidin in June 1919, immediately before the destruction of Aidin by the Kemalists, by whom he was imprisoned and sentenced to death. The timely arrival of the Greek forces enabled him to avoid the execution of the sentence and to escape to Smyrna. After various changes he came back to Smyrna in July 1920, and he remained there until 8 September 1922, when he applied for and obtained leave, but was asked by Mr. Simmons, the Branch Manager, to take a confidential letter to the Head Office at Consantinople.

(3.) The respondent arrived at Constantinople on 10 September 1922 delivered the letter, and was given temporary employment at the Head Office, which appears to have superseded his leave. Meantime Smyrna was destroyed by the Turkish forces. The respondent's story of his experiences at Constantinople, which substantially remains unchallenged, is as follows : "I found Constantinople in a disturbed state. I went to the Bank and saw Mr. Ungar, the sub- Manager in the Direction Generale. I gave the confidential letter Mr. Simmons had given ma to Mr. Ungar, I also told him what Mr. Simmon a had told me confidentially. I explained to him the state of affaire in Smyrna. At this interview I asked him to allow me to leave Constantinople, because it was unsafe for me to remain. I told him I had been condemned to death at Aidin and that therefore, I could not remain. Mr. Ungar referred me to Mr. Skanzianni, le chef du Personnel. I saw him. At the office of Mr. Skanzianni, Mr. Bouzourou happened to be present, and Mr. Skanzianni called in the Chef du Bureau, Mr.Goyar. I explained everything to Mr. Skanzianni and asked permission to leave. He laughed at me. Mr. Bouzourou was then Chef du Bureau du Personnel. I was not given leave. I stayed in Constantinople for 20 days, asking him every day to transfer me to any branch outside Turkey. They would not do so. Instead of giving me leave they gave me temporary work. On Thursday evening, on coming out of the office, I came across Tewfik Bey who had been Chief of Police at Aidin at the crucial time. He was in mufti. I could not recognize him. Ha questioned me. I was much perturbed and immediately changed my hotel for fear that he should betray me at any time. On the Friday 28 September 1922 the Bank was closed. On the Saturday I went to relate the incident of meeting Tewfik Bey, to my Chief. The Chiefs came late, 9-30 or 10 a.m., so I saw two Sub-Chiefs, Mr. Berturucchi and Mr. Baache. I related to both of them the incident of meeting Tewfik Bey, explained to them the whole affair: and stated that as my life was in danger I wanted to leave at once. There was a ship leaving on the Saturday morning at 10-30 a.m. for Athens, I had told these two gentlemen that I was going to Athens ;and I left by this boat.'"