Under s.10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999, the companion must be permitted to address the hearing in order to put the worker’s case, sum up the case and respond on the worker’s behalf to any view expressed at the hearing. They must also be permitted to confer with the worker during the hearing. However, the companion has no right to answer questions on behalf of the worker, to address the hearing if the worker does not wish them to do so, or to prevent the employer from explaining its case.

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