SAYERS v. INTERNATIONAL DRILLING COMPANY N.V.

Abstract

May 10, 1971 Master and Servant — Contract of employment — “International contract” — Dutch company recruiting European personnel to work on oil rigs outside their countries of origin — Printed form in Americanised English adaptable for different nationals — Payment in sterling — Clause stating that employers Dutch and contract wholly performable outside employee's country of origin — Clause under which employee accepting company's benefit programme in case of accident in lieu of all rights under law of his own country — Provision in clause excluding employers' liability void in English law — Englishman entering into contract in England for work on rig off Nigerian coast — Injury at work after two weeks — Action for damages for negligence begun in England against Dutch employers — Whether proper law governing contract Dutch or English — Whether injured Englishman confined to benefits under benefit programme valid in Dutch international contract.