A former lawyer accused of drug-related offences has filed a civil case against the Chief Registrar and the Attorney General. Shazran Abdul Lateef has appealed the decision of the Chief Registrar cancelling Lateef’s practicing certificate.

The matter was called before Chief Justice Kamal Kumar at the Civil High Court in Suva on Wednesday. Lateef appeared in person while counsels representing the Chief Registrar and the Attorney-General, Suliana Taukei and Yovin Naidu from the A-G’s Chambers appeared for the respondents.

Lateef claimed that he lost his practicing certificate in 2019 after a series of drug-related charges, however, he was discharged from the case after the Magistrate ruled there were several discrepancies and inconsistencies in the evidence.

Lateef told the court that he was seeking a few documents which he had lost from the respondent. The court heard that Lateef was seeking a suspension letter and a short cause notice which was issued to him. Lateef said that he was appealing the cancellation of his practicing certificate.

He said the Chief Registrar had refused to uplift the cancellation of his practicing certificate which was the basis of his case. Taukei, told the court that Lateef’s practicing certificate was cancelled in 2019 which was for the period from 2019 to 2020. She said there was a letter attached that notified Lateef of the cancellation.

The Chief Justice has asked the respondent’s counsel to go through the Legal Practitioners Unit records and provide Lateef with the documents he required. The matter will be called for mention on August 4.

Feedback: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj