THE civil dispute between Mount Gambier Mayor Andrew Lee and a local building contractor continued in court last week.
Mr Lee was given seven days to pay $77,000 into a “suitors’ fund” to allow him to settle his properties.
Lawyers for Mr Lee appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday to have a charge order lifted on the George Street units.
The charging order was made on June 1 after builder Roger Doody earlier filed a claim in the court for an outstanding debt of $68,278, which was not paid following the completion of the properties in 2014.
Mr Lee was given 21 days to respond to the claim, however failed to do so, leaving Mr Doody the opportunity to apply for a judgement.
The defendant can apply for the judgement to be set aside, however the mayor failed to act on the legal proceedings until last week.
In court on Friday, the mayor was given seven days to pay the court $77,000 into a “suitors’ fund” to have the charging order lifted.
Once the money is paid to the court, Mr Lee will be able to settle his properties.
At the next hearing scheduled for September 8, Mr Lee’s lawyers will need to provide good reason to the court for why he did not respond to the claim and ask for the judgement to be set aside within the required time.
If good reason is established, Mr Lee’s counsel will then be given the opportunity to file a defence to have the original judgement set aside.
