Prominent defence lawyer Barry Hart has called in sick on the first day of his three-day disciplinary hearing before the Law Society's Standards Committee at the Auckland District Court.
Hart faces misconduct charges, including allegedly overcharging a client $35,000 dollars. He denies all charges.
His hearing was supposed to start at 10 am, but lawyer Nigel Cooke told the court Hart was sick and provided a "brief" medical certificate, saying Hart was suffering chest pains, breathing difficulties and fatigue.
Mr Cooke asked for the hearing to be adjourned.
Law Society lawyer Paul Collins opposed the adjournment, saying Hart's symptoms were not debilitating enough to prevent him from attending. "It's not as if he is in hospital in contractions" he said.
Judge Clarkson asked for Hart's doctor to appear before the tribunal.
An adjournment was called to allow Cooke to call him, but the doctor refused to appear. The five person panel is now considering the adjournment application.
3 News