Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Wellington
Reference No [2011] NZERA Wellington 96
Determination date 03 June 2011
Member D Asher
Representation R Laurenson, R Moodie ; M Quigg
Location Wellington
Parties Snowdon v Radio New Zealand Ltd
Summary PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Application for removal to Employment Court (“EC”) – Applicant claimed unjustifiably disadvantaged in application filed 5 years ago – Applicant’s medical condition deteriorated and successfully applied to have matters adjourned indefinitely – Other matters involving parties before EC – Respondent opposed applicant’s suggestion two years ago that matter be removed to EC until proceedings before EC resolved – Parties later preferred matter be put on hold pending outcome of matters already before EC – After amendments to s178 Employment Relations Act 2000, Authority sought parties’ views of Authority removing matter to EC - Applicant did not oppose matter being removed to EC – Respondent claimed matter should not be removed to EC by Authority’s own motion as issues before Authority standalone and adding matter to EC proceedings would prejudice hearing - Claimed matter should remain on hold before Authority pending outcome of EC hearing, wanted to be formally heard on matter if Authority pursued removal – Authority found no evidence or argument suggesting case of nature and urgency was in public interest be removed to EC – Noted EC did have proceedings before it between same parties involving similar or related issues and proceedings protracted and difficult – Found EC should determine matter – Noted parties and EC contemplated further hearings in respect of current matters – Found matter could be added to existing EC proceedings without prejudicing hearing – Matter to be removed
Result Application granted ; Matter removed to Court ; Costs reserved
Main Category Practice & Procedure
Statutes ERA s178;ERA s178(1);ERA s178(2);ERA s178(2)(d)
Number of Pages 5
PDF File Link: 2011_NZERA_Wellington_96.pdf [pdf 16 KB]