JUDGMENT

Low Hop Bing JCA:

Appeals

[1] These two related appeals viz CA No. P-01-69-01 and P-01-70-01 are lodged by the appellants, a firm of solicitors, ("the firm") against the decision of the Penang High Court in dismissing the firm's application for an order of certiorari to quash the award of the Industrial Court relating to the issue of dismissal without just cause or excuse ("the dismissal award").

Factual Background

[2] The employees commenced employment with the firm's branch in Penang, as legal assistants, drawing a starting salary of RM2,000 per month, on 8 December 1989 and 1 June 1990, respectively.

[3] The employees' duties and responsibilities were primarily in connection with road accident cases and included:

(1) Receiving instructions from clients and applying for all necessary documentation from authorities, securing medical and specialist reports;

(2) Interviewing all relevant persons in connection with the clients' claims;

(3) Corresponding with opposing solicitors and agreeing upon documents;

(4) Attending on clients to agree upon defences or further conduct of the action;

(5) Obtaining instructions from clients for negotiations or further conduct of