VRP Founder seeks legal redress

Founder and former president of the Vanuatu Republican Party (VRP) Maxime Carlot Korman yesterday filed an application seeking a Stay order against the Court Order stopping him, Dominic Morin, Marco Herominly and supporters from using of the VRP name and logo in the 2012 General Elections.

He was successful in getting Order No.6 which directed the Efate politician, his associates and supporters to hand over keys, records and furniture to Pipite by 9am, Thursday quashed.

So no one is vacating the VRP office or relinquishing office keys to the VRP office.

But yesterday judge Fatiaki ordered that all other Orders made on September 19, 2012 be continued and maintained against Korman, effectively prohibiting him, his colleagues and supporters from using the VRP name or logo thus leaving two options-establishing a new political party or contesting as independents.

The action comes hot on the heels of legally recognised VRP president Marcellino Pipite announcing his 12 man VRP squad to contest elections.

The Supreme Court order stemmed from the VRP Congress held at Tautu and legally in Civil Case No.155 of 2012, which has the Vanuatu Republican Party as the 1st Applicant, Marcellino Pipite as the 2nd Applicant and the veteran Efate politician as the Respondent.

Previously after considering the documents filed and hearing counsel for the Applicants on Wednesday, Supreme Court Judge Fatiaki was satisfied that the case was of extreme urgency and should be dealt with on an exparte basis.

He stated if the orders are not granted to the Applicants, that is caretaker minister for Education Pipite et al, irreparable harm would be caused to the Applicants and to the orderly conduct of the elections.

The Court orders stated liberty is reserved to all parties to apply generally on 3 clear days notice after service on all other parties.