Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2015] NZERA Auckland 295
Determination date 25 September 2015
Member Eleanor Robinson
Representation D Towle ; P Robertson
Location Auckland
Parties Spanhake v Whenuapai Primary School Board of Trustees
Summary JURISDICTION – Whether Authority can order settlement agreement (“SA”) signed by mediator under s149 Employment Relations Act 2000 (“ERA”) voidable on grounds of duress – School principal
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND -;JURISDICTION: Section 149 ERA only provides for Authority to hear case on terms of SA when one party fails to comply with SA. Section prevents challenges to mediated settlements under s 7 Contractual Remedies Act 1979. Same safeguards also prevent challenges on grounds of duress. No jurisdiction.
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Jurisdiction
Statutes ERA s137;ERA s149;ERA s149(1);ERA s149(2)(a);ERA s149(2)(b);ERA s149(3);ERA s149(3)(ab);Employment Relations Amendment Act (No 2) 2004 s 51(1);Contractual Remedies Act 1979 s7
Cases Cited Pharmacy Care Systems Ltd v Attorney-General (2004) 2 NZCCLR (CA);Tinkler v Fugro PMS Pty Ltd [2012] NZEmpC 102, (2012) 10 NZELR 74 ;;Young v Board of Trustees of Aorere College [2013] NZEmpC 111
Number of Pages 7
PDF File Link: 2015_NZERA_Auckland_295.pdf [pdf 163 KB]