Restrictions Includes non-publication order
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2015] NZERA Auckland 369
Hearing date 23-Nov-15
Determination date 25 November 2015
Member Robin Arthur
Representation P Muir, C Walker ; C Service, F Ryff
Location Auckland
Parties Metropolitan Glass and Glazing Ltd v Meiring
Summary RESTRAINT OF TRADE – Applicant sought interim injunction restraining respondent from working for competing business – Geographical scope of restraint of trade (“ROT”) provision - Regional manager
Abstract AUTHORITY FOUND –;RESTRAINT OF TRADE: Order for non-publication of confidential commercial information. Necessary for applicant to prove that ROT clause agreed to by respondent was unreasonable, and now reasonable to substitute a wide restraint instead. Unlikely that applicant could successfully claim that since would provide employer with more than was bargained for. Respondent of modest financial means, so unlikely to be able to pay damages if injunction granted. In any case, no certainty that applicant suffered loss. Balance of convenience with applicant. Overall justice favoured declining application. Application for injunctive relief dismissed.
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Main Category Restraint of Trade
Statutes ERA Second Schedule 10
Cases Cited Air New Zealand Ltd v Kerr [2013] NZEmpC 153, [2013] ERNZ 581;Credit Consultants Debt Services NZ Ltd v Wilson (No 3) [2007] ERNZ 252 (EmpC);Designlink Ltd t/a Rodney Wayne Hairdressing Whangaparaoa v Raymond EC Auckland AC24/06, 1 May 2006;Fuel Espresso v Hsieh [2007] NZCA 58, [2007] 2 NZLR 651;H v A Ltd [2014] NZEmpC 92, [2014] ERNZ 38;Littlewoods Organisation Ltd v Harris [1978] 1 All ER 1026 (EWCA);United Pukekohe Ltd v Grantley [1996] 3 NZLR 762 (HC);Welsh v Cooney [1993] 1 ERNZ 407 (CA)
Number of Pages 18
PDF File Link: 2015_NZERA_Auckland_369.pdf [pdf 207 KB]