| Restrictions | OK |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Employment Relations Authority - Auckland |
| Reference No | [2013] NZERA Auckland 154 |
| Hearing date | 12 Apr 2013 |
| Determination date | 30 April 2013 |
| Member | A Fitzgibbon |
| Representation | E Butcher, A Evans ; R Harrison |
| Parties | Asiaciti Trust New Zealand Ltd v Harris |
| Summary | RESTRAINT OF TRADE – Applicant sought to enforce non-competition clause preventing respondent from working for competitor - 12 month restraint – No specified geographical area - Restraint not negotiable - Whether restraint valid – Whether respondent told clause likely unenforceable – Whether Authority should modify clause - Assistant trust administrator |
| Abstract | AUTHORITY FOUND –;RESTRAINT OF TRADE: Respondent signed agreement believing restraint to be unenforceable. Respondent not senior employee or otherwise in position of great importance. Restraint too wide, harsh and unreasonable. Restraint unenforceable. Authority should not exercise power to modify restraint. Application dismissed. |
| Result | Application dismissed ; Costs reserved |
| Main Category | Restraint of Trade |
| Statutes | ERA s161 – Illegal Contracts Act 1970 s8 |
| Cases Cited | Bates v Gates [1986] 1 NZELC 95,269;Brown v Brown [1980] 1 NZLR 484;Fuel Espresso Limited v Hsieh [2007] ERNZ 60; [2007] 2 NZLR 651;Debtor Management (NZ) Ltd v Quail [1993] 2 ERNZ 498;Ryan v Mason [2012] NZHC 3105 |
| Number of Pages | 13 |
| PDF File Link: | 2013_NZERA_Auckland_154.pdf [pdf 318 KB] |