INCIDENT IN COURT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21520, 17 June 1933, Page 13

INCIDENT IN COURT

COMPLAINT BY PLAINTIFF REMARKS OF COUNSEL [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] "WELLINGTON, Friday During the hearing yesterday afternoon of a claim for alleged slander made in the Supreme Court by Reginald Charles Boddie against James Dickson Siovwright, the plaintiff Boddie complained that he had been under great mental strain during the hearing. He alleged that Mr. A. B. Sievwright who, with Mr. O'Learj-, was appearing for the defendant, had been sitting behind him passing derogatory remarks about him under bis breath. Mr. Justice Ostler granted plaintiff an adjournment, advising 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 me 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 will to punish. Mr. Sievwright saw mo after the Court adjourned last evening, in company with Mr. Evans-Scott (counsel for plaintiff), and explained that lie had not addressed his remarks to the plaintiff, but to his leader. "I must accept the explanation, but it is to bo 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 opposing counsel or party, their conversation cannot be overheard." Plaintiff continued his evidence.