According to Vol 2 Part 2,Dispensations DO NOT APPLY for;-
-ANO's,
-Flight manuals,
-CDL,
-Training programmes,
-AFTLS(legal requirements),
-Limitations,
-Specialized means of Navigation,
-Aerodrome Operating Minima.
This time the colusion between CX & CAD has actually broken the letter of the law.
Something to bear in mind is that if that aircraft had had an accident or incident the insurance would not have paid,everyone would be trying to pin it on the crew for accepting an illegal duty,cx would have to foot the bill,& it would have come straight off the profit figures(but not the directors bonuses) & the employees would by default pick up the tab.
If the crew had refused to do the flight I am quite certain that they would have suffered disciplinary action.