CONTEMPT OF COURT.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11152, 19 December 1901, Page 3

CONTEMPT OF COURT.

IMPROPER COMMUNICATION WITH A JUDGE. When the case of Brett v Badger "was called on at the Supremo Court yesterday, his Honour, addressing 1 Mr Badger, who appeared in person, said he must express his supreme surprise that Mr Badgerhad thought praper to address to him personally a private letter bearing on the subject matter of the case.' He had! on several occasions received such letters from Mr Badger, which he had always returned' to him, He must draw his attention to the impropriety of the course he pursued. It was with the gravest astonishment and surprise and regret that he found not only a suitor, but a solicitor of the Court, who* should be perfectly well aware of what he was doing, of the gross, impropriety of addressing a judge of the Court concerning a case that was to come before him. Such a thing \ would be improper in any case, and would subject the writer to proceedings for contempt oi Court. If he did not believe that the litigation in the matter had to some extent upset Mr Badger's mind, he should have placed the letter in the hands of the Registrar to call upon Mr Badger to show cause why he should not be dealt with for contempt of Court, a contempt which would be bad enough on the part of any suitor, but vnas especially gross on-the part, of any practitioner. He was obliged to assume from the character of the transaction that 'Mr Badger was not at the time responsible altogether for his action. ■ If he had any other opinion he wonld have acted aa he had intimated. His Honour then directed the Registrar to return the letter to Mr Badger. This was done, and the matter ended.