C. Hari Shankar, J.

This writ petition, at the instance of Spiegel Verlag Rudolf Augstein GmbH & Co KG, a company incorporated in Germany, assails an award, dated 3rd November, 2017, passed by the learned Labour Court, Karkardooma, Delhi.

2. The terms of reference, as formulated in the Order of Reference, dated 26th June, 2013, issued by the Deputy Labour Commissioner, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi read thus:

“Whether the action of management, terminating the services of worklady, Ms Padma Rao, D/o late Dr V.V.S.K. Rao w.e.f. 30/4/2012 by not renewing the contract agreement dated 1/5/1998 is legal and justified; and if no, to what relief is she entitled and what directions are necessary in this respect?.”

The Impugned Award

3. The facts of the case, as set out in the Statement of Claim filed by Respondent No.2, Ms. Padma Rao, before the Labour Court, may be set out thus:

(i) The following agreement was entered into, between the Petitioner and Respondent No. 2, on 9th April, 1998:

“Dear Ms. Rao,

We are pleased to confirm the following agreement with you:

1. With effect of May 1, 1998, you will be a freelance employee of the SPIEGEL Publishers, Hamburg and will b