A lawyer who swore and insulted a police prosecutor while in court has been censured and fined $500.
The man, whose name was not disclosed by a Law Society standards committee, said his comments were made "in the heat of the battle" but accepted they were inappropriate, abusive and breachedethical standards.
According to a complaint to the Law Society from the Police Prosecution Service, the lawyer made three comments that the sergeant in question was lying and also used two swear words while in court.
The lawyer, whose location was also not disclosed, told the committee that he immediately regretted his comments and apologised straight away.
"He said that his apology was sincere and that it was not until he received a police letter that he was aware that his apology was not accepted as such," the committee said.
The committee found that the man breached rules that "a lawyer must promote and maintain proper standards of professionalism in the lawyer's dealings".
The committee determined his actions were unsatisfiactory, censured him, fined him $500 and ordered he apologise to the police officer in writing
