Yap moves fresh contempt claims

An unrelenting stoush between prominent western suburbs real estate agent Vivien Yap and a former client has taken another turn, with fresh contempt allegations that may require a new judge.

The Ray White Dalkeith boss and former client Sandi Matic were back in court this morning, seven months Ms Yap gained orders stopping him from attending her work over alleged threats to endanger her and her business.

Ms Yap claimed Mr Matic began airing plans to disrupt her business and advertise his grievances after she sold his Mount Claremont home for what he deemed to be less than its actual value.

Justice Marcus Solomon granted the injunction, but adjourned Ms Yap’s first contempt application.

Four months after defending himself in court, Mr Matic attempted to withdraw his appearance until he realised it meant he would not be heard and could not contest the claims against him.

"But you did engage in the proceedings, Mr Matic, quite substantially in April," Justice Solomon said.

"So I don’t accept that you haven’t entered an appearance."

Mr Matic also moved a motion to dismiss fresh claims by Ms Yap that he disobeyed the court and interfered with the administration of justice.

After a robust debate about whether he had engaged in the proceedings in the first place, the fairness of the court process and allegations of “Mickey Mouse games”, Justice Solomon dismissed the bid.

Threats by Mr Matic to throw a swath of semi-private court documents into the public arena prompted Ms Yap's high-profile lawyer Martin Bennett to push for several “scandalous” paragraphs be struck out.

Justice Solomon granted an application for judgment on the basis of default after Mr Matic failed to file a defense by the August 18 deadline.

Despite Mr Matic indicating he would not attend, Justice Solomon agreed both applications for contempt should be dealt with through a half-day hearing.

It was revealed at least one of the applications may require the inclusion of a different judge, with Mr Bennett alleging Mr Matic had shared emails and documents concerning Justice Solomon with other court staff and parliamentarians.

“Given the documents refer to me personally, it may be appropriate that they are dealt with by a different judge,” Justice Solomon said.

A hearing date has not yet been set.

Ms Yap has established herself as the go-to real estate agent in Perth's affluent western suburbs, named the state’s best agent for the past five consecutive years.