No Win, No Fee
No upfront cost. No financial risk
At Mathews Walker, we understand that in trying financial times it can be hard to pay an hourly rate for employment advice. But your finances shouldn't be a barrier to getting justice if you have been treated unfairly, especially if you have been left without income because of your employer's actions!
This is why our advocates are proud to work on most cases on a "no win, no fee" basis.
Give us a call at 0800 612 355 to discuss your case and learn how no win, no fee employment law works in New Zealand.
What does "no win, no fee" mean?
If we take your case on a "no win, no fee" basis, our fee comes out of whatever we can achieve for you. This is also known as a contingency basis.
This means that you don't need to pay our hourly rate as we go along and, whether we work ten hours or 50 hours, your fee is 1/3 + GST of what we achieve for you. This way, there is no financial risk for you as you explore options to resolve your employment problem.
Note: sometimes there are fixed fees such as filing in the ERA, but this will all be explained in our terms and conditions
"We raised a grievance for Trish, and she received a successful outcome of $4,000 in tax-free compensation and $2,000 + GST towards costs. In this case, her fee was 1/3 of $6,000. The employer's contribution effectively covers the entire fee for the employee."
Ready to take the first step in solving your employment issue?
Protecting your rights after unfair workplace treatment
At Mathews Walker, we know that dealing with workplace disputes can be extremely stressful and emotionally taxing. Our advocates are here to support you with clear, practical employment advice without the worry of expensive legal fees.
We may be able to act on a no win, no fee basis if:
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You’ve been unfairly dismissed
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You have a personal grievance at work
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You’re facing redundancy problems
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You’re a victim of workplace bullying or harassment
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You were pushed out of your job through constructive dismissal
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You were dismissed unfairly under a 90-day trial period
Our advocates will assess your situation upfront to determine whether it’s suitable for a no win, no fee arrangement.
Get free employment advice now.
When do we charge an hourly rate instead of No Win No Fee?
Some cases aren't suitable for a no win, no fee situation, as we aren't seeking a financial outcome for you. We'll always let you know if this is the case though so you can make an informed decision before incurring any charges.
Some examples of hourly rate work could include:
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Reviewing an employment agreement, for instance a restraint of trade clause;
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Negotiating a shortened notice period or for you to work from home;
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Representing you in a disciplinary meeting
What our clients say
Nina
Paul was fantastic to work with. He gave me the confidence to achieve a positive outcome with my previous employer. His knowledge and calm demeanor were outstanding I felt well supported by him during the whole process. Thanks again for everything.
Gavin
I had Emma as my advocate and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. She kept in touch and helped me every step of the way with my case.
Can’t recommend Emma and Mathews Walker highly enough. A very stressful time was made much easier.
Jason
I engaged Julie from Mathews Walker as an employment advocate and as a support person during an employment matter. Julie helped provide a great outcome and it was fantastic having her in my corner. Thanks!
No win no fee employment law - FAQ
How does “no win no fee” work in NZ?
In New Zealand, no win no fee means that you don’t pay legal fees to your advocate or lawyer unless there is a successful financial outcome, and the fee is a pre-agreed share of what’s recovered.
At Mathews Walker, our advocates operate on a no win no fee basis in most cases.
Interested to learn more?
Read our blog on what no win no fee means for you.
Who qualifies for no win no fee?
At Mathews Walker, no win no fee is generally available to those with an employment law claim that has a reasonable prospect of success and is likely to result in a financial outcome (such as compensation or a settlement). Each case is assessed upfront, and if it’s suitable, they may agree to act on a no win no fee basis. Matters that don’t involve a financial outcome, or have low prospects of success, usually won’t qualify.
What is the time limit for a no win no fee in NZ?
No win no fee matters usually involve employment law claims, which have strict time limits. In most cases, a personal grievance must be raised within 90 days of the issue occurring (for example, dismissal or disadvantage). Personal grievances for sexual harassment must be raised within 12 months of the issue occuring.
What happens if you lose a no win no fee employment case?
At Mathews Walker, if your no win no fee employment case is unsuccessful, you generally won’t have to pay legal fees. However, you may still be responsible for any agreed disbursements or fixed costs (such as filing fees), if these apply. The exact position will be set out clearly in your agreement before we start acting for you.