In an earlier post, we discussed the Human Rights Review Tribunal decision in the case of Andrews v Commissioner of Police. The Police had successfully defended a Privacy Act case that Mr Andrews brought against them. They applied for $7,500 to $10,000 costs, but the Tribunal declined to award any costs at all.

It began with a photo shared privately among friends and set in motion events that resulted in a precedent setting award for damages for a privacy breach.

A recent Human Rights Review Tribunal case has attracted some attention as a result of its colourful facts – bad feelings between previously friendly neighbours, allegations about vandalism, and a compensation bill of $7000.

As a general rule in New Zealand, if you go to Court and you lose, you’re going to have to foot the bill – and not just your own legal bill but a chunk of the other party’s costs too.