Employment status finding set aside as court restores prior decision and makes no order as to costs

The High Court addressed the issue of costs and the final order in a statutory appeal concerning a finding that a pilot was directly employed by an airline for the purposes of the social welfare code. The court determined that the Appeals Officer had erred in law by inferring an implied employment contract where there was no supporting evidence and set aside the decision. Instead, it restored an earlier finding that the individual was employed by a different company. On costs, although the airline was overall successful, the court exercised its discretion to make no order as to costs, noting the statutory context and the fact that the airline was not entirely successful on all preliminary points. The court also stayed its orders pending any appeal.