Quote: martinwildbull "Harris was already in a contract so was not a free agent to be restrained. part of leeds compensation for allowing that contract to be nullified and Harris to go and earn a fortune was that he agreed on returning to RL to give leeds first option. that is why it was not restraint of trade, and really is a no brainer even for a legal layman. '"
No, it WAS a restraint of trade.
Quote: martinwildbull "In my judgment clause 5 is a restraint on Mr Harris because it prevents him, on leaving Cardiff prematurely, from playing Rugby League for any club other than Leeds (as well incidentally as preventing him. from playing Rugby Union for any other club). That is a restriction on the ability of Mr Harris to "ply his trade".'"
It was just not a restraint that the judge would declare void, because it was not an UNREASONABLE restrainta restraint which was clearly reasonable in the interests of both Leeds and Mr Harris. Accordingly ... in my judgment clause 5 of the Release Contract is not void as being in restraint of trade.'"