Web designer registers domain name and then "leaves town"

Options for recovering domain name

[lazy_guy]

I'v been hired to make a website for a retail shop, the problem is that the owner of the shop had hired someone last year to build him a site and the guy flaked. The guy did register the domain name which is with network solutions and has a REGISTRAR-LOCK on it.
Does the business have any power to get the domain name if they did sign a contract for him to build the site?

Thanks

[davezan]

Based on your thread, the crucial question here is who is listed as the registrant of the domain name. If the retail shop is the listed registrant, ask netsol what steps are needed to allow you access.

If the ex-webmaster is the listed registrant, then the registrar will tell you to either seek the registrant or get legal advice.

I was going to ask whose contact details are listed there. But chances are it's that of the ex-webmaster.