| Restrictions | OK |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Employment Relations Authority - Wellington |
| Reference No | [2016] NZERA Wellington 152 |
| Determination date | 14 December 2016 |
| Member | T MacKinnon |
| Representation | D Balfour ; P Cullen, C Cartwright |
| Location | Wellington |
| Parties | Komla v The South African High Commissioner to New Zealand |
| Summary | JURISDICTION – Whether respondent could invoke diplomatic immunity – Domestic worker |
| Abstract | AUTHORITY FOUND –JURISDICTION: Inclusion of references to local labour laws in applicant’s employment agreement not sufficient evidence of intention to waive diplomatic immunity in event of employment relationship problem. Applicant not in commercial relationship with respondent. Exception provided in Vienna Convention not applicable. Respondent had diplomatic immunity. No jurisdiction. |
| Result | Application dismissed ; Costs reserved |
| Main Category | Jurisdiction |
| Statutes | ERA s65(2)(a) ; ERA s103A ; Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1968 s5 ; Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1968 Schedule 1 ; Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations art 31(1)(c) |
| Cases Cited | AFT v BCM [2015] NZEmpC 234 ; Governor of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands v Sutton [1994] 2 ERNZ 492 (CA) ; MAGB v GQC [2015] NZHC 1595, [2015] NZFLR 1042 ; Reyes & Suryadi v Al-Malki [2015] EWCA Civ 32 ; Tabion v Mufti 73F 3d, 535 (4th Cir, 1996), 107 ILR 452 |
| Number of Pages | 9 |
| PDF File Link: | 2016_NZERA_Wellington_152.pdf [pdf 171 KB] |