Dispute Resolution in the Employment Tribunal Part One: Mediation

Abstract

The Employment Contracts Act 1991 (the ECA or the Act) completes the legal evolution in New Zealand industrial relations from to compulsory arbitration to direct bargaining. It also represents one of the concluding steps in the of the New Zealand economy. Under the compulsory arbitration system, the Arbitration Court was the central institution and provided arbitration as a dispute resolution process for a wide of range of issues. The Arbibation Court represented an arm of administrative law where the instituion, on behalf of Parlianent, instituted its wishes to regulate aspects of the labour market.