The Federal Court, in dismissing Ismail Othman’s application for leave to appeal, ordered him to pay Seacera Properties Sdn Bhd RM50,000 in costs. Ismail Othman was also ordered to pay RM50,000 in costs to Seacera Properties Sdn Bhd. The Federal Court’s decision means the Court of Appeal’s Feb 12 ruling stands in overturning the High Court judgment in Ismail’s favour. The Court of Appeal also held that the High Court erred in relying on the principle of separate legal personality to find that Ismail’s dismissal was unlawful. The High Court had upheld the Industrial Court’s finding that Ismail was constructively dismissed and awarded him compensation in lieu of reinstatement.