Lawyer Jerry Dinati has been ordered to pay $200 within two weeks for unprofessionalism in the High Court.
Mr Dinati, representing Manasa Bulaisea Qalotaki, appeared before judge Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu.
Before the matter proceeded, Justice Bulamainaivalu conveyed his disappointment at Mr Dinati’s multiple non-appearances in court, and asked him to provide a reason for those non-appearances.
Justice Bulamainaivalu said he had enough of Mr Dinati’s behaviour and would refer him to the Chief Register.
Mr Dinati, in reply, kept telling the court he was assisting his client on a pro bono basis, adding Mr Qalotaki had not contacted his office nor provided instructions for him.
He requested the court to ask his client whether he wanted the services of Legal Aid, but Justice Bulamainaivalu repeatedly told him to come clean and give his reasoning.
The judge said Mr Dinati was contradicting himself to the point of mockery because the accused, on the last occasion, told the court he was still paying for Mr Dinati’s services.
“Don’t lie, you are making matters worse for yourself. Honesty is the best policy,” the judge said.
“Instead, you are trying to be smart and now you put yourself under the bus. You just lied to me forthright right now.”
Before the matter concluded, Justice Bulamainaivalu ordered Mr Dinati to pay $200 as an alternative before November 18.
The case has been adjourned to November 15.
