Restrictions OK
Jurisdiction Employment Relations Authority - Auckland
Reference No [2011] NZERA Auckland 255
Determination date 16 June 2011
Member R A Monaghan
Representation D Kumandan (in person) ; C Chilwell
Location Auckland
Parties Kumandan v Eastzone Realty Ltd
Summary COSTS – Unsuccessful personal grievance – One day investigation meeting - Respondent sought $7,500 contribution to costs – Applicant claimed costs should lie where they fall as successful on disputed evidence point and respondent did not act in good faith – Applicant claimed accepting Calderbank offer amounted to accepting was written contractor’s agreement between parties – Applicant claimed due to financial position not able to pay any costs award – Authority found as respondent successful entitled to costs – Found although applicant successful on disputed evidence point, did not mean entitled to full or partial award reduction – Noted previously determined respondent did not act in bad faith – Authority found nothing in Calderbank offer suggesting applicant accepted was contractor’s agreement however offer did not reflect respondent’s level of risk if litigation continued – Found applicant in position to pay costs award – Applicant to pay respondent $3,500 contribution towards costs
Result Costs in favour of respondent ($3,500)
Main Category Costs
Cases Cited Challenge Realty Ltd v Commissioner of Inland Revenue [1990] 3 NZLR 42;Health Waikato Ltd v Elmsly [2004] ERNZ 172;PBO Ltd (formerly Rush Security Ltd) v Da Cruz [2005] ERNZ 808;T & L Harvey Ltd v Duncan [2010] NZEMPC 36;Victoria University of Wellington v Alton-Lee [2001] ERNZ 305
Number of Pages 5
PDF File Link: 2011_NZERA_Auckland_255.pdf [pdf 16 KB]