Sheppard Industries Ltd v Specialized Bicycle Components Inc - [2011] 3 NZLR 620

Evidence — Admissibility — Privilege for settlement negotiations — "Without prejudice” rule — Exception to privilege to prove existence of settlement agreement — Whether parties could contract out of statutory exception — Whether evidence could be adduced as to alleged oral settlement at mediation — Evidence Act 2006, ss 53 and 57(3)(b).

Alternative dispute resolution — Mediation — Interpretation of mediation agreement — Whether mediation agreement required settlement to be written and signed to be effective — Whether party to mediation able to assert oral agreement.