The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

FOLLOWING the conclusion of chamber proceedings yesterday, no comment was offered by the Bahamas Bar Association on an application by one of its members to have the BBA president committed to prison for contempt.

Brian Simms, QC, who represented recently-elected BBA president Elsworth Johnson, told The Tribune that he would not comment on Mr Johnson’s alleged failure to produce certain documents despite a court order because “it is still before the court.”

The bar member’s attorney Geoffrey Farquharson however, said that while words had to be chosen carefully due to the nature of the proceedings, “what I can tell you is that the court has directed that the Bar take certain steps in the interest of my client and with which we are very pleased.

“We intend to come back a week from today on the 12th, to determine whether in fact the Bar has complied with the order of the court, or whether we need to go forward with an application to commit the president of the Bar” Mr Farquharson said. “But we’re all hopeful that that unfortunate circumstance doesn’t arise.”

The member, who wishes not to be named, was granted leave by Senior Justice Jon Isaacs to make the application, which was to be heard on December 5, yesterday’s date.

The Tribune understands that the dispute stems from a request, rejected by the Bar Association, to issue a certificate of good standing for the member and a form that concerns his membership dues.

A hearing was scheduled before Senior Justice Isaacs on November 4 but a representative for the BBA was not present.

This resulted in the court granting leave for the Bar member to apply to have the president of BBA be held in contempt.

Yesterday’s proceedings took place in the judge’s chambers. The matter has been adjourned to December 12 for a status hearing.