Hinekura Lawson-Candelaria refused to leave the King Edward St premises after her lease was terminated in late July.
She was given to August 7 to pay rent arrears of $130,000, but on that day she trespassed both the new proprietor, Hans van der Laan, and the building's owner, Dung Tran, who trespassed her in return.
The trespass order could not be acted on unless Ms Lawson-Candelaria left the building and returned to it, Mr Van der Laan said.
Heffs continued to trade, but the gaming machines and TAB were shut down.
The only way to remove Ms Lawson-Candelaria was by court order, he said.
A minute from Associate Judge Rob Osborne dated August 17 said a hearing would be held in the High Court at Christchurch on August 31.
It was being held at short notice and in Christchurch because that was the earliest available court date before September 1, when the 18 gaming machines would be deregistered under Gambling Act rules, a move which had the potential to significantly affect the value of the building.
Normally a defendant would be given longer to ensure they had an opportunity to present their defence, but on balance the plaintiff (Mr Tran) had a clear and "entirely understandable" concern to have "the defendant `expelled forthwith' as it is put in the application", the judge said in the minute.
