Court gives Matic a final chance

A former client of Vivien Yap has been given one final opportunity to defend himself from a criminal contempt charge after allegedly sending an contentious email to solicitors and politicians.

The western suburbs real estate agent sued her former Mount Claremont client Sandi Matic in the Supreme Court of Western Australia last year, claiming he threatened to disturb her business.

Mr Matic is facing allegations of criminal contempt over an email sent to Jessica Border, an associate of Ms Yap’s lawyer Martin Bennett, and others.

The content of the email contained paragraphs accusing Ms Border of committing fraud and fabricating evidence to deceive Mr Matic, Mr Bennett said in a WA Supreme Court hearing today.

Mr Bennett told the court that the other recipients listed in the email were Liberal party powerbroker Peter Collier, Labor MLC Ayor Makur Chuot, North Metropolitan MLC Martin Pritchard, Nedlands MP Katrina Stratton, Churchlands MP Christine Tonkin, South Metropolitan MLC Pierre Yang, and Attorney-General John Quigley.

Supreme Court Justice Marcus Solomon, who presided over a previous contempt ruling against Mr Matic, Chief Justice Peter Quinlan and himself were also recipients of the email, according to Mr Bennett.

Mr Bennett said the email included a plea to the members of parliament to assist in fighting the fraud committed.

Supreme Court Justice Gail Archer said she would adjourn the matter for a week to give Mr Matic one final opportunity, particularly to find a lawyer for the next hearing.

“It’s an opportunity for Mr Matic to get legal advice although I suspect he won’t get legal advice,” she said.

“The plaintiff alleged you sent an email that had the tendency to deter them from continuing the action against you. If they prove it, it’s a serious crime … can be fined or imprisoned.

“Getting legal advice will be a terrific idea but I know you’ve been told that before and chose to ignore that.”

The issues between the parties reportedly stemmed from the sale of Mr Matic's Biara Gardens home, which he believed was undervalued.

Mr Matic had repeatedly been absent from previous court proceedings last year but appeared for a hearing on a separate contempt charge after an arrest warrant was issued in December.

He repeatedly objected to being addressed by his surname in court today, announcing to Justice Archer that he was a man that goes by the name "Sandi" and has no last name.

Mr Bennett said while he understood the inherent fairness shown by Justice Archer, it was clear Mr Matic was abusing processes of the court.

“There’s a litany of Mr Matic coming to court and saying he doesn’t understand,” he said.

“We would say the court has given more than a fair indulgence to Mr Matic.”

Mr Bennett said this could show the public that the court was being toyed with, but Justice Archer said that was a risk she was willing to take.

Mr Matic’s next WA Supreme Court appearance is scheduled for January 30.