The wife of a former Firepower executive this week continued her action against the company’s director and former politician Gordon Hill, seeking to secure corporate documents ahead of a potential trial.
Lawyers representing Rhonda Nairn and Mr Hill first appeared in the WA Supreme Court last month, where it was revealed that 12.5 million shares in the company held by Ms Nairn on behalf of her husband, Trevor Nairn, had allegedly disappeared after a restructuring of the Firepower group of companies in 2004 and 2005.
Bentley-based Firepower manufactures fuel additives, but is better known as a major sponsor of the Western Force rubgy union club.
In court this week, lawyer Dr Sharon Ivey of Maxim Litigation told the court Mr Hill denied the claims made by Mrs Nairn, and believed there was no basis for the cause of the action.
Dr Ivey said her client considered he had nothing to hide but was not in a position to consent to the provision of documents, due to issues of confidentiality.
Freehills partner Steven Penglis, on behalf of Mrs Nairn, said the plaintiff had written to Firepower Holdings Group Ltd and the directors of the company on October 16 requiring documents, but no responses had been forthcoming.
Dr Ivey said Mr Hill placed himself in the hands of the court after his solicitors wrote to the companies requiring consent to release the documents, whereby no responses were received.
A special order for discovery has now been issued.
