REBUKE BY JUDGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 210, 17 June 1933, Page 3

REBUKE BY JUDGE.

COUNSEL'S COMMENT IN COURT

OVERHEARD BY SUBJECT ' (Per Press Association). AVELLINGTON. Juno IG. During the hearing on Thursday afternoon of a claim lor alleged slander by Reginald Charles Boddie against James Dickson Sievwrigiit, the plaintiff complained that he had been under great mental strain during the hearing. He alleged that Mr A. B. Sievwright, who, with Mr H. O'Leary, is appearing for the defendant, had been sitting behind him passing derogatory remarks about him under his breath. Mr Justice Ostler granted the plaintiff an adjournment and advised him to pull himself together by the next day.

When the Court resumed to-day, his Honor said: "With regard to the incident that occurred yesterday, it is hardly necessary for nie to point out that for a barrister during the hearing of a case in court to use opprobrious terms to either the opposing counsel or the opposing party is an abuse of his privilege, a grave misdemeanour and contempt of court which the court has both the power and the will to punish. Mr Sievwright saw me after the court adjourned last night, in company with Mr Evans-Scott, and explained that he had not addressed his remarks to the plaintiff but to his leader. I must accept his explanation, but it is to be hoped that such an incident will not occur again. Counsel should be able to confer so that if they are using abusive or derogatory terms of the opposing counsel or the party their conversation cannot be overheard."