Suva lawyer Jerry Dinati has pleaded guilty to professional misconduct before Independent Legal Services Commissioner Justice Daniel Goundar this morning.
Dinati failed to respond to a notice issued by the Chief Registrar on 14th November last year regarding a complaint filed by Donald Brian Andrew Kelemeti on 19th July last year.
Dinati also failed to respond to a reminder notice sent on 8th December last year.
The failure to respond is considered professional misconduct under the Legal Practitioners Act 2009.
Dinati was not present in court when the hearing began before Justice Goundar this morning.
However, Justice Goundar noted when Dinati had entered the courtroom and had called him to the bench.
While responding to questions from Justice Goundar, Dinati said he was involved in a trial before Magistrate Sufia Hamza and came to the hearing as soon as he was excused.
He pleaded guilty to the allegation, stating that he did not want to waste the court’s and Justice Goundar’s time.
Justice Goundar told Dinati that he needs to take the matter seriously as it is his bread and butter.
He told the lawyer that he had worked hard to get where he is and asked whether he wanted to just give it all away.
Dinati has been given until 26th June to file his mitigation, while counsel representing the Chief Registrar, Jasvin Sharma, has until 6th July to respond.
Justice Goundar warned Dinati that as a matter of courtesy, to comply with his directive, adding that if Dinati was not interested, the matter would still proceed.
Dinati also represents Imran Khan, also known as King Khan, in his contravention of restraining orders case.
The matter has been adjourned to 10th July for either sanctioning or a mention.
