Aussie Judge Says Modular Founder Was 'A Thorn In Universal's Side'

The embattled founder of Aussie indie label Modular Recordings, Stephen 'Pav' Pavlovic, was described in less-than-flattering terms at the Supreme Court Of NSW today as lawyers for the music-industry mogul appeared alongside rival representatives for Universal Music Australia to offer submissions to Justice John Sackar relating to UMA's allegations of impropriety against the entrepreneur.

According to The Music Network, following the submission of several emails pertaining to the circumstances under which Pavlovic's employment with the Universal-owned Modular was terminated earlier this year, Justice Sackar addressed the businessman's solicitor and said: "Your client was a thorn in Universal's side."

Justice Sackar accused Pavlovic of engaging in 'filibustering' following his failure to sign settlement deeds sent from UMA on Christmas Eve 2014 to cement long-negotiated deals "over his employment and then-co-owned sub-licensed label", The Music Network reports. According to the submissions presented to Justice Sackar, on February 23 this year, Pavlovic's employment was allegedly terminated following an apparent breach of accrued annual leave payment.

Justice Sackar will present his findings and judgment at a future, as yet unspecified, date.

Pavlovic is not just facing scrutiny at home, however — as interest mounts in the BMG-driven case against him in the United States for unpaid royalties for West Australian rockers Tame Impala, a statement was issued through solicitors Levitt Robinson denying liability for the allegedly missing money.