The Burning Issues in Employment Law Forum returns, with scalding-hot content to light your fire!

Against a landscape alight with legislative change, this year’s edition will fan the flames of a toasty trio of smouldering subjects:

2026: Where Employment law is heading
Gather round the fireside as the Chief Judge reaches for her crystal ball and attempts to answer the question on every employment practitioner’s mind.

Retrospectivity: Unravelling the new law
Flickering away is a burning question about how the new Employment Relations Amendment Act will be applied in circumstances where there are no transitional provisions. In this session, Gillian Service will illuminate the issue and highlight cases already under consideration as well as conceivable scenarios.

Keeping Current on Contribution
While long a feature of personal grievance remedies, the concept of employee contribution looks likely to generate heat following the February 2026 amendments. In this session, Simon Mitchell KC, Philip Skelton KC and Kylie Dunn will briefly cover:

• the existing law regarding contribution and what is likely to remain relevant moving forward;
• how contribution will affect remedies following the February 2026 amendments, including the availability of reinstatement; and
• how the Authority and Court are treating contribution and whether remedies will be smothered.

The highlight of this session will be a fiery debate between Simon Mitchell KC and Philip Skelton KC on the contribution amendments.

Let our experienced lineup of presenters ignite your interest, enflame your edification, and kindle your questions.

Event Details

3:30pm – 4:00pm  |  Registration
4:00pm – 6:00pm  |  Forum 
6:00pm – 7:00pm  |  Networking, refreshments and canapés

Join us in person for valuable networking opportunities, with post-forum drinks and canapés included. We look forward to welcoming you both in person and online.

In Person

Join us on the day in person by booking your ticket here.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Gain insights into the immediate future of employment law in Aotearoa.
• Become better apprised of how the new retrospectivity law will be applied in circumstances where there are no transitional provisions.
• Benefit from perspectives on what employee contribution means in the ‘new age’, including its impact for reinstatement and remedies. 

Please note, because of the nature of this event, papers will not necessarily be provided. Copies of PowerPoint slides will be available electronically.

Who should attend? 

All employment lawyers, HR professionals, in-house lawyers, ERA members and Employment Court judges.

Presenters

Her Honour Judge Inglis | Chief Employment Court Judge
Philip Skelton KC | Bankside Chambers
Simon Mitchell KC | Albert Park Chambers
Gillian Service | Partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Kylie Dunn | Partner, Smith Dunn

Chair

Catherine Stewart | Barrister