Fiji Labour Party parliamentary leader Aman Ravindra-Singh was found guilty of one count of professional misconduct by the Independent Legal Services Commission.

The judgement was made by Commissioner Thomas Hickie on November 2, 2018.

Ravindra-Singh, as a member of the legal profession, had failed to respond within 14 days to a notice from the Legal Practitioners’ Unit (LPU) within the Office of the Chief Registrar.

The office has the responsibility of investigating complaints against members of the profession and thus, pursuant to section 108 (2) of the Legal Practitioners Act 2009.

Singh failed to respond as required by the Chief Registrar by a Notice dated April 13, 2018, to a complaint lodged by Shailesh Kumar dated October 20, 2017.

Commissioner Hickie said when the matter was first before him on September 17 this year, Ravindra-Singh entered a not guilty plea on the basis that he wished to put forward a defence rather than in mitigation.

The matter was set down for a hearing on October 29, this year.

In conclusion, Commissioner Hickie also informed Ravindra-Singh to wear a necktie at his next appearance before the commission and said to display a little more decorum by him as he was still, until the new commissioner may decide otherwise, a member of the legal profession.

He said although the commission was a tribunal and not bound by the rules of evidence, however is not different to appearing before the High Court.

Commissioner Hickie ordered to file written submission on penalty and setting a time and date for mention before the new commissioner as  his appointment concludes on January 21, 2019.

Commissioner Hickie also said that this judgement would probably be his last in this appointment.

Edited by Percy Kean

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