When consultation trumps confidentiality

When consultation trumps confidentiality
The employment court has ruled that the midwives should have been consulted. (Image: NZME)
Rebecca Rendle
The court of appeal recently declined an application for leave to appeal an employment court decision in Birthing Centre Limited v Matsas.  This is an important case on employee consultation obligations when an employer is negotiating an asset sale or commercial contract that affects employees.It demonstrates that claims of confidentiality and commercial prejudice as a reason not to consult before an unconditional agreement is reached will be closely tested.It is common in a commercial transaction for negotiating parties to want to keep ma...

More Law & Regulation

Smaller lenders eye prudential requirements in RBNZ review
Finance

Smaller lenders eye prudential requirements in RBNZ review

NBDTA proposed a total capital ratio of 10.5% of risk-weighted assets.

Andy Macdonald 10 Oct 2025
Manuka Doctor trademark appeal dismissed
Law & Regulation

Manuka Doctor trademark appeal dismissed

One judge dissented, saying he would have allowed the appeal.

John Anthony 10 Oct 2025
Smiths City owes creditors $26.8m
Retail

Smiths City owes creditors $26.8m

The outlook for unsecured creditors of the former retail icon Smiths City appears bleak, as liabilities have mounted to more than $26.8 million.Liquidators for the century-old retailer stated in their initial report that 240 creditors were owed money by the company, as reported b...

Staff reporters 09 Oct 2025
Cost-benefit issues in spotlight amid RBNZ review
Finance

Cost-benefit issues in spotlight amid RBNZ review

The Reserve Bank of NZ had received 42 submissions to the review.

Andy Macdonald 09 Oct 2025