Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No [2012] NZERA Christchurch 56
Determination date 03 April 2012
Member D Appleton
Representation S Guest ; L Brook
Location Christchurch
Parties Rapson v Ashburton Hospitality Ltd
Summary COMPLIANCE ORDER – Applicant sought compliance with parties’ settlement agreement (“SA”) – Matter determined on papers - SA provided respondent would pay applicant compensation and contribution towards applicant’s costs after respondent received invoice – Applicant claimed respondent had not paid contribution towards costs and had sent respondent invoice – Respondent failed to file statement in reply – Respondent told applicant invoice would be paid following month – Applicant claimed if respondent did not pay invoice by end of month would breach SA – Applicant repeatedly attempted unsuccessfully to contact respondent about payment – Authority found respondent had not explained non-compliance with SA – Compliance ordered – Interest payable – PENALTY – Applicant sought penalty for respondent’s non-compliance with SA – Applicant claimed settled for amount at mediation less than what may have been awarded by Authority as wanted matter resolved – Applicant claimed made travel arrangements in expectation respondent would comply with SA – Found respondent’s non-compliance caused applicant reasonable level of harm – Found breach of SA flagrant and deliberate - $5,000 penalty appropriate
Result Applications granted ; Compliance ordered ; Interest (5%) ; Penalty ($5,000)($3,000 payable to applicant)($2,000 payable to Crown) ; Costs reserved
Main Category Compliance Order
Statutes ERA s137;ERA s137(1)(a)(iii);ERA s149;ERA s149(3);ERA s149(4);ERA Second Schedule cl11;Judicature Act 1908 s87(3)
Cases Cited Xu v McIntosh [2004] 2 ERNZ 448
Number of Pages 6
PDF File Link: 2012_NZERA_Christchurch_56.pdf [pdf 29 KB]