Car dealer ordered to pay unpaid legal bills
A Christchurch car dealer facing a raft of dishonesty charges has been ordered to pay more than
$15,000 in outstanding legal bills. Nigel Thompson, who is on bail while facing 67 dishonesty charges, was sued by Christchurch law firm Weston Ward for
$15,900 in unpaid bills, plus interest.
The 44-year-old cried in the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday as he told Judge Christiansen that he would likely go bankrupt if ordered to pay the outstanding money.
Grant Tyrrell, a partner at Weston Ward and Lascelles, told the judge Thompson was either unable to or did not want to pay.
Evidence showed Thompson regularly paid instalments until December 8, 2017. By that stage he had paid $25,189 of the $41,183 that he owed for legal work carried out relating to parenting issues and relationship property and employment matters.
On January 12 last year, Thompson emailed Tyrrell to say he had $15,000 that he would pay in three days, which should ‘‘clear what’s owing’’. The money never came. The firm then filed formal notice with the court confirming it would no longer be acting for Thompson.
Thompson, who represented himself in court, told Judge Christiansen he had to change law firms due to ‘‘ineffective legal services’’ from WWL. He also said he paid legal costs for correcting the firm’s mistakes.
He said he asked on numerous occasions for more ‘‘competent’’ representation, emailing partners and other staff at the firm.
In his judgment released yesterday, Judge Christiansen said Thompson was ‘‘very emotional’’ by his presentation before the court.
‘‘In this case, Mr Thompson made promises to pay but did not fulfil those promises, and when pressured for payment, he then made complaints. Also, he said he would file a complaint with the Law Society, but this was not done.’’
The judge said there was ‘‘no evidence’’ to support Thompson’s claims of inadequate service. ‘‘While appearing sincere in his belief for reasons for not paying his debt in full, he has provided no evidence to convince this court.’’
Judge Christiansen ordered Thompson to pay the total amount claimed by Weston Ward and Lascelles, together with interest and legal fees.
The Press revealed last week that Thompson was selling cars and other goods on Facebook. He said the Facebook page, under the name Frank Kent, belonged to his neighbour, who let him use it to sell things. The page appears to have since been taken down.
Thompson said earlier he planned to plead not guilty to all the charges he faced.
‘‘I have got the proof that I am not guilty. It’s going to be interesting – the reason we’re going to play it out in the court is because it’s also going to expose all the personal lives as well.
‘‘I’m actually in a better place now, I’m getting help, I’m getting treatment, I’ve faced a very difficult time.’’