Couple leave Fiji resort 'peacefully'

Tensions over the ownership of a a Fijian resort run by former Hamiltonians Jim and Heather Sherlock have eased, with the couple moving out of the multimillion-dollar facility.

Devanash Sharma, a partner in Suva law firm R Patel & Co, told Waikato Times Mr and Mrs Sherlock had left the resort peacefully with their possessions – including a billiard table – after an inventory had been taken.

The couple had accused Mr Sharma's firm of mishandling the mortgagee sale of the Lagoon Resort property, on which they owed several million dollars.

Mr Sharma said his firm had handled the foreclosure properly and had done everything possible to resolve the dispute.

While no clear resolution had been established, Mr Sharma said "we are still talking to Jim".

Mr and Mrs Sherlock have moved to another nearby resort, and Lagoon Resort subsequently ceased trading.

"As far as we can see things turned out OK – there was no nastiness," Mr Sharma said.

Mr Sherlock would be informed once the resort was on the market, "because it's a process where both parties need to work together".

Mr Sherlock could still reclaim his resort if he was able to pay off the loan and come to an arrangement with Fiji Development Bank, Mr Sharma said.

Mr Sharma said Mr Sherlock's initial comments may have been "venting his frustration" and motivated by an emotional response to failure to obtain a legal injunction relating to the sale.

Efforts to gain comment from the Sherlocks, and their lawyer Carl Cameron, were unsuccessful.

- © Fairfax NZ News