Legal question re ownership of an import

[Soldat]

This is the scenario:

Someone (we'll call them Sparky) had a car imported from Japan, paid all the fees in cash, etc.

Went to pick the car up but it had already been taken and registered by their partner (we'll call Chuckles).

Legal battle ensues as to who the car belongs to.

FACTS:
Chuckles registered it to themselves ONLY - so far as VICRoads is concerned, they can only deal with the Chuckles.
Sparky doesn't have much in the way of any documentation, as these were supposed to be given to them when the picked up the car.
Sparky currently has the car under lock and key.
Chuckles is trying to get their hands on it.

What can/should Sparky obtain or provide that will prove their ownership on the car (it was their money that paid for it)?
Secondly, assuming Sparky's name was on the sale documents (unsure where these are at this time), could they petition VICRoads to release the registration based on the fact that it wasn't registered by a nominated party?

No, its not my VR4 thats in question, just a friend of a friend of a friend.

 

[trounced]

you should have proof of purchase when the car was paid in yen from the jap provider with the chasis number on it that should be enough if its in their name etc and has the correct chasis number and details showing they paid for it.

 

[Soldat]

Ok, would that proof of purchase from japan still be in Sparky's name even if she went thru an importer (i don't know which one, so don't ask)?

 

[mookers]

Is there some recourse (monetary refund, whatever) for Sparky given the fact that someone (shipping/delivery person?) allowed the car to be released to Chuckles when it was in fact imported for Sparky?

Do they even check I.D. when releasing the car after it arrives here? It's scary to think if they don't.

 

[Soldat]

ok, turns out Sparky paid the cash to the importer, who paid the yen to the mob in japan. But, sparky has back records to show the transfers. So, at this point, the importer should really pony-up the paperwork.

 

[montgomery]

Sparky should have been given a invoice etc one you had paid to show you had actually paid.

this importer sounds like shit