Two lawyers and their law firm have been charged with breaches of the Fijian Legal Practitioners Decree 2009.
The Lawyers? are? Mr Abhay Singh of AK Singh Lawyers and Mr Hemendra Nagin of? Sherani and Co.
Mr Abhay Singh faces 12 allegations of breaches whilst Mr Nagin faces 9.
Mr Singh was represented by Mr Mehboob Raza whilst Mr Nagin represented himself.
Here’s what the official govt press release says ..
These charges vary in nature and severity. There are allegations of professional misconduct and or unsatisfactory professional conduct to unsatisfactory professional conduct in that the legal practitioner substantially failed to reach a reasonable standard of competence and diligence to conduct of a legal practitioner occurring in connection with the practice of law justifying a finding that the legal practitioner is not a fit and proper person to engage in the practice of law.
These breaches arise out sections 81, 82 and 83 of the Legal Practitioners Decree 2009.
The cases were first called on 20 October 2009. Mr Singh?s case was fixed for hearing on 3 and 4 November 2009 whilst Mr Nagin?s case and the law firm of Sherani and Co were fixed for hearing on 14 and 15 December 2009.
The cases were again called for mention on 23 October 2009. Mr Abhay Singh, in this instance, had made an application for a deferred hearing on medical grounds and the need for time to prepare. The application was denied by Commissioner Connors. The Commissioner reiterated that the hearing date was accepted by Mr Singh in the presence of his counsel. He also added that in light of the seriousness of the complaints, one of which had taken place some six years ago and in the public interest, it was best that the case be resolved in a timely manner.
Chief Registrar, Ms Ana Rokomokoti is prosecuting the matters.
We’d be interested to know if these charges are politically motivated.. time shall tell
