Legal Cases & Investigations
Employment Court Proceedings
During 2020 and 2021 leavers and their legal team, consisting of Brian Henry, Dennis Gates and Steve Patterson, brought proceedings against Gloriavale for exploitation of employees, and against the Crown for not enforcing minimum labour standards. One set of proceedings named the Courage case (EmpC77) focussed on the plight of the young men in Gloriavale and was heard during 2021. The Pilgrim case (EmpC53) dealt with the conditions and expectation of female domestic labour during 2021 & 2022.
The cases have stretched on over a long period of years, as Gloriavale, the Crown and Leavers contest the judgements. Ultimately the judge determined both the girls and boys were employees, and ruled the Overseeing Shepherd was the employer.
The cases eventually joined together and there were many other mini-hearings to determine issues like Jurisdiction, Time Bar, & Remuneration. As of April 2026 the Girls are still awaiting the result of Gloriavale’s appeal.
Click below to follow the two sets of proceedings.
Courage Proceedings Boys
Pilgrim Proceedings Girls
