Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No AA 194/07
Determination date 27 June 2007
Member M Urlich
Representation C Patterson ; R Kapadia (in person)
Location Auckland
Parties PRP Auckland Ltd (formerly Axiom Rolle PRP Valuations Services Ltd) v Kapadia
Summary COSTS - Successful breach of contract claim - One day investigation meeting - Applicant sought contribution of $4,750 towards actual costs of $15,000 - Respondent submitted applicant’s conduct unnecessarily increased costs by not settling or defending application in face of clear evidence of breach - Actual costs incurred by applicant - Applicant argued because was successful party, costs should follow event and particular characteristics of case meant tariff based approach not appropriate - Respondent submitted applicant raised false and voluminous allegations resulting in complex and expensive litigation, and declined settlement offer - Also argued premature to set costs as challenge before Employment Court - Award fairly recognised case out of ordinary in terms of complexity and level of preparation required, while balancing impact award may have on respondent due to his financial circumstances - Applicant entitled to contribution to costs - Applicant retained property of respondent - Given inadequate information before Authority, no order for return of property
Result Costs in favour of applicant ($2,700)
Main Category Costs
Cases Cited PBO Ltd (formerly Rush Security Ltd) v Da Cruz [2005] 1 ERNZ 808
Number of Pages 3
PDF File Link: aa 194_07.pdf [pdf 18 KB]