The Employment Court has rejected a claim from an employee over a settlement agreement.  The settlement agreement was signed between the employee and the employer, but the employee then claimed that her lawyer had entered into the settlement agreement contrary to her instructions.  That claim was rejected by the Employment Court and the Court held that the employee had authorised the settlement.

The Court went on to award the employer $27,000 costs for the failed claim by the employee plus a further $1,500 costs for the employee’s argument about costs.

All parties need to bear in mind, that when they embark on a Court hearing there is a potential for substantial costs should they be unsuccessful.



Alan Knowsley
Employment Lawyer
Wellington