Judge slams law firm over costs in sexual harassment case

An article in smartcompany.com.au, reports that an Australian employee of Oracle who won a sexual harassment case against the software giant in the Federal Court is likely to be left financially devastated after the court criticised her law firm for the costs incurred.

The Federal Court found Oracle was liable to pay program manager Richardson $18,000 after finding she was harassed by another employee, Tucker.

But Justice Buchanan ordered Richardson to pay the costs of both Oracle and Tucker after they offered to jointly settle her claim for $55,000 in September 2010, three months after the case had started.

Richardson rejected the offer and as the award of $18,000 was less than the $55,000 she could have got if she settled, Oracle and Tucker are entitled to costs on an indemnity basis.

To read the Federal Court judgment, click here.

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