Radio news boss heads back to court - again

Former Radio New Zealand news boss Lynne Snowdon has won the right to appeal an Employment Court decision that awarded $30,000 in costs against her.

Ms Snowdon was sacked in April 2005 after spending almost two years on sick leave - and full pay of about $120,000 a year.

She had fallen out with former chief executive Sharon Crosbie over allegations of financial mismanagement.

After she was fired Ms Snowdon lodged a personal grievance against RNZ for unjustified dismissal in the Employment Court.

In February 2007 she filed an application to have Judge Carol Shaw remove herself from the proceedings, citing 18 reasons, denial of fair process and natural justice among them.

The application was never heard on the due date as Ms Snowdon was ill.

In November 2008 she discontinued the application and in May this year Judge Shaw ordered her to pay costs of $30,000 to RNZ, which Ms Snowdon appealed.

The Appeal Court said it was likely to recalculate the costs when the appeal was brought, should it determine Judge Shaw took the wrong approach to costs.

It said the appeal should not be brought for a hearing until the allegations of fraud had been dealt with by the Employment Court. RNZ rejects the allegations against it.

- NZPA