Media exits case as startup in court bid to keep name secret

The company is appearing in the Employment Court today. Photo / Greg Bowker

A high profile start-up has appeared in court in a bid to keep its name out of the media, as it battles an ongoing employment dispute.

The company, whose name is subject to interim suppression, had asked the Employment Court for wide-ranging non-publication orders including a take-down of previous articles about the case.

It had also requested hearings be closed to the public.

The New Zealand Herald was subject to one of those orders, and appeared in court this morning to argue against it - and for ongoing freedom to report on the case.

Another newspaper also appeared, alongside lawyers for the former employee at the centre of the case, who is arguing the case should be public.

In its bid for suppression, the company had argued its case was an "exceptional circumstance" and as such a non-publication was warranted.

It said evidence in the case was commercially sensitive and as such it should not be public.

However, the case took a surprise turn when media were informed - upon arrival at court - that the company no longer sought the take-down orders.

That meant media were effectively removed from the hearing, because they were only a party to the argument about take-down, and not the wider arguments about non-publication.

The judge said media were allowed to seek the costs of appearing before the court be paid by the party seeking suppression.

The argument about non-publication will now continue solely between the former employee and the company.

Names of the parties involved will be subject to an interim suppression order until the judge makes a final decision on no-publication.

The substantive matter in the hearing is a breach of contract, which will be heard at a later date.