Leighton Associates turns 6

What’s the average lifespan of a blogsite?   We have no idea, but we’ve been demystifying employment law since 2019. 

This is the first year that we have been directly involved in employment advocacy – after all, any blogger worth their salt should probably spend a little time at the coalface.

Lay advocates (ie: advocates who are not legally qualified) are allowed to represent parties in employment disputes in New Zealand.  Outside the employment jurisdiction, they can’t – that’s a lawyer’s job.

We currently have two matters on the go, and another that was completed.  The one that was resolved was a challenge (appeal) to the Employment Court of a determination of the Employment Relations Authority.  That was a “walk away” consent judgement (similar to a settlement), with each party bearing their own costs.  Which sounds like a costly waste of time, right?

Actually, no.  It was a non-compete dispute, and before we got involved, our client was ordered by the Authority to pay their former employer around $36,000 in damages, penalties and costs, despite having already spent over $10,000 on representation. 

Then we asked a whole bunch of questions, did some research, and drafted some documents.  After around three months, the other side realised it was better off walking away from that $36k as noted in a consent judgement of the Employment Court.   And life goes on.

In the blogging world – our advocacy work has left us spread a bit thin – sorry about that!  We’re always looking for new bloggers.  Apply within.

Triz, Editor