Court compels Rod Lambert to shut down anti-Ray White website

A Queensland Supreme Court judge has ruled that Gold Coast property developer Rod Lambert must close down his website, which Ray White claims was damaging its brand.

An application to have the website shut down was submitted by Ray White on March 21 and a ruling issued by Chief Justice Paul de Jersey on March 27.

The ruling applies until the trial of the matter is heard or an earlier order is made by the court.

A search on Google shows that the website is no longer available.

The court order restrains Lambert, “his servants or agents” from “maintaining or causing to maintain the internet domain www.dontrustraywhite.com or an internet domain or website with the same or similar name”.

The judge has also ruled that Lambert must not distribute or publish any “leaflets, flyers, newsletters or any other similar publications” that promote the website or any similar website.

In previous online postings, Lambert made allegations of misconduct against Gold Coast prestige sales agent Michael Kollosche, who was previously contracted to the Ray White Broadbeach. Lambert accused Ray White of not taking appropriate action against Kollosche.

In this matter, the judge ruled that Lambert must not publish statements that allege that Ray White will not respond in an appropriate manner to “allegations that Mr Michael Kollosche has engaged in fraudulent conduct”.

The injunction does not prevent Lambert from “making formal complaint or giving a statement to the police or statutory bodies with powers relating to the regulation of the real estate industry”.

A spokesperson for Ray White says it could take up to 12 months for the trial to be heard.

Ray White is seeking to have the website permanently shut down.