Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Christchurch
Reference No CA 39A/08
Determination date 13 May 2008
Member J Crichton
Representation J Guthrie ; J Lovely
Location Christchurch
Parties Pleace v Cunningham
Summary COSTS - Unsuccessful personal grievance - ï¾½ day investigation meeting - Respondent sought contribution of $3,000 to total costs of just over $4,000 - Respondent claimed evidence showed respondent not applicant’s employer and applicant given opportunities to settle matter, including Calderbank offer - Applicant claimed costs should lie where they fall because of applicant’s financial position and own costs increased due to respondent’s delay in responding to personal grievance claim - Authority agreed with applicant’s submission about delay - Noted delay not fault of respondent’s current counsel - Authority chose not to consider Calderbank offer, particularly because of timing of offer - Authority considered entitled to take into account unsuccessful party’s ability to pay - Even if ignored applicant’s financial circumstances and made order for costs, would deduct costs applicant had to unreasonably bear as consequence of respondent’s delays - In circumstances, given that amount would have deducted similar to amount would have awarded, costs to lie where they fall
Result Costs to lie where they fall
Main Category Costs
Cases Cited PBO Ltd (formerly Rush Security Ltd) v Da Cruz [2005] 1 ERNZ 808
Number of Pages 4
PDF File Link: ca 39a_08.pdf [pdf 18 KB]