(2) Despite any law or anything in the contract, another party to the contract may not, after being served with the notification for relief in accordance with section 9(1), at any time (whether during or after the prescribed period) forfeit any deposit (or part of any deposit) taken under the contract on the basis of the subject inability, unless the notification for relief is withdrawn or an assessor has made a determination that the forfeiture of the deposit or any part of the deposit is just and equitable in the circumstances of the case.
(3) Despite any law or anything in the contract, if the other party to the contract has already forfeited any deposit (or part of any deposit) taken under the contract on the basis of the subject inability, including at any time between 1 February 2020 and the date of commencement of this part, the other party must on receipt of the notification for relief served in accordance with section 9(1), as soon as practicable restore the deposit or part of the deposit as if it had not been forfeited.
(4) Despite anything in the contract, where the subject inability occurs on or after 1 February 2020 but before the expiry of the prescribed period, the fact that the inability to perform the obligation in the contract was to a material extent caused by a COVID-19 event is a defence to a claim for the payment of a cancellation fee under the contract in respect of the subject inability.
(5) To avoid doubt, subsections (3) and (4) do not affect any judgment, arbitral award, compromise or settlement given or made before the service of the notification for relief.
Consequences for taking action in contravention of section 5, 6 or 7
8.—(1) Any person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes section 5(2), 6(2) or 7(2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
(2) Any proceedings commenced in breach of section 5(2) must, on the lodgment of a copy of the notification for relief with the court, arbitral tribunal or other person or body before which the proceedings are brought, be dismissed.
