2010 President of the Employment Law Institute

Partner Alan Knowsley was re-elected President of the Employment Law Institute of New Zealand at its 2010 AGM.  At the AGM Alan reported on the Institute’s activities over the last year including the Chief Judge’s address to the Wellington and Auckland lunch meetings in February.  These lunches are one of the highlights of the year and provide a relaxed and informal interface between the judiciary and members.  The debates were again lively and the address by Judge Graeme Colgan once more was excellent.  He dealt with a number of issues including costs awards.

Alan as President of the Institute was also invited to speak at the valedictory sitting of Judge Coral Shaw last May before she headed off to the UN to sit on their labour cases.

The Institute has a very important role to play in that it brings together advocates and lawyers, the judiciary, Employment Relations Authority members and mediators unlike most other organisations in the field of employment law.  The Institute provides a means for the strengthening of collegial friendships and the raising of issues but also for support and guidance of those who may often be working in a solo practice environment.

The Institute also provides a forum for the public to raise concerns about the standards and behaviour of the members.  To read Alan’s full report to the AGM on the Institute’s activities see our articles section.