Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 178/06
Hearing date 14 Dec 2006
Determination date 19 December 2006
Member P Cheyne
Representation K Castiglione ; D Sim
Location Christchurch
Parties Infinity Investment Group Holdings Ltd v Walker & Ors
Other Parties McKenzie & Grant as Trustees of Pinot Trust & Walker (Second respondent)
Summary PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – JURISDICTION - Application for removal to Employment Court – Applicant commenced proceedings against respondents in District Court to recover under loan agreement – Respondents claimed matter employment relationship problem within exclusive jurisdiction of Authority - Second respondent alleged loan part of employment agreement with applicant - Both parties submitted important questions of law likely to arise – Authority found questions of law incidental – Matter required inquiry into meaning of written terms in letter of employment, and whether parties agreed to amend terms with loan agreement – Factual inquiry together with dispute as defined in Employment Relations Act 2000 – No important question of law arising other than incidentally – No public interest issues or related proceedings already before Court – Parties submitted large sum in dispute, difficult credibility issues, and tax and accounting issues meant in circumstances Court should determine matter – Joint application most telling factor – However, Authority not persuaded ordinary dispute resolution process provided by Parliament should not be applied – Application for removal declined
Result Application dismissed ; Costs reserved
Statutes ERA s178(2);ERA s178(2)(a);ERA s178(2)(d)
Number of Pages 2
PDF File Link: ca 178_06.pdf [pdf 21 KB]