BOQ's 'self justice' under fire in Vic Supreme Court
Two owner-managers running a Bank of Queensland branch near Geelong in Victoria found themselves locked out of their own business premises last month. The franchisees went to the Supreme Court of Victoria the next morning and were granted an interim injunction, with Justice Robson criticising BOQ for using heavy-handed tactics and applying what he termed 'self justice'. During the hearing of this matter, Justice Robson expressed concerns about the actions taken by the bank, asking BOQ's legal representative: "Why didn't the Bank resolve it with the Court? Why go in with guards and police? I have not seen that behaviour from a major corporation." After the second hearing in the Victorian Supreme Court yesterday, the two franchisees agreed to vacate the premises until next month on the understanding that BOQ would not close the branch, in Pakington Street, Newtown. The parties are expected back court on January 20, next year, for a more substantial airing of arguments from both sides, including the fairness or otherwise of the franchise agreement and an expected claim for damages from the franchisees. In the interim, BOQ's own staff will run the Newtown branch.