Legal Project Management Plan & Checklist
Purpose of this Guide: Use this plan when the dismissed employee earns NZ$200,000 or more in total annual remuneration and has brought a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal. This guide is used by practitioners representing employers to assert the 2026 high-income threshold bar to dismiss the grievance. It focuses on executing annualized calculations, applying transitional provisions, and drafting the jurisdictional objection.
Jurisdiction: New Zealand Employment Relations Authority (national registries). This fork covers preliminary jurisdictional objections under the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026.
The Process at a Glance: The process begins with calculating the employee's annualized remuneration using the statutory formula. The practitioner verifies the hire date to apply the transitional rules. The practitioner drafts the high-income bar objection pleading and files it inside the Form 3 Statement in Reply. The practitioner attends the ERA directions conference and preliminary investigation meeting, presenting financial evidence to dismiss the grievance. The employer is exempt from standard consultation under s 4(1A)(c) and written reasons requirements.
Key Legislation and Case Law: Employment Relations Act 2000 - Section 103A (as amended in 2026); Section 120 (exemptions for high earners). Key cases: Employment Relations Authority practice directions on 2026 high-income threshold computations.
* Disclaimer: We're nobody's lawyer, because we aren't lawyers. You are, so you know better than to take legal advice from an app. We also aren't accountants or dog trainers - just digital spirit guides taking zero liability for any of this. This site exists to gather the collective knowledge of practitioners like you. Verify everything and submit your feedback on the Defending Unjustified Dismissal Claims (Respondent) - High-Income Threshold Gateway Pathway matter plan to improve the playbook. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, it's a request for input.
This legal matter plan provides a structured workflow for L&E_LITIGATION cases, outlining the standard DISPUTE_LITIGATION process. Utilize these tracking templates to manage your legal cases efficiently.
Verify all prerequisite documentation has been obtained, cross-reference against the statutory requirements for this matter type, and confirm compliance with practice direction protocols.
Prepare the relevant forms and supporting materials required under the applicable legislation, ensuring all mandatory fields are completed and all attachments are properly certified.
Draft and dispatch formal correspondence addressing the procedural requirements at this stage, including any required notices, requests for information, or proposals for resolution.
Coordinate the collection and review of all financial documentation required for disclosure, including statements, valuations, and supporting schedules as mandated by the rules.
Conduct a thorough review of all filed materials to ensure compliance with court requirements, verify service obligations have been met, and prepare for the next procedural milestone.
Assess the strategic considerations for interim applications, prepare supporting evidence, and draft the necessary documentation for urgent or time-sensitive relief sought.
Verify all prerequisite documentation has been obtained, cross-reference against the statutory requirements for this matter type, and confirm compliance with practice direction protocols.
Prepare the relevant forms and supporting materials required under the applicable legislation, ensuring all mandatory fields are completed and all attachments are properly certified.
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