expected to return to court today, just as one of his clients faced the prospect of standing trial without him.

Mr. Delroy Duncan has been unable to appear in court since he left the law firm of Hall, Duncan and Trott last month.

The English lawyer has been waiting for his work permit to be transferred to the new firm with which he is employed, Perry B. Trott, Barrister and Attorney.

Mr. Duncan is lawyer for Michael Wayne Brown, 30, of King Street. He is scheduled to stand trial in Supreme Court today on charges of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply and possession of drug equipment.

At the monthly Supreme Court arraignment yesterday, Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr.

Justice Ward rejected a defence request that the trial be adjourned.

Mr. Perry Trott told Mr. Justice Ward that Mr. Duncan was still dealing with the Department of Immigration. He asked for an adjournment until January 4.

But Mr. Ward said: "I do not think I can adjourn the case on that basis.'' And he suggested the Attorney General's office should get involved in the immigration case, if there was any concern about an injustice to Brown.

"If Mr. Duncan is awaiting a signature, the Attorney General has the power to call Immigration, and tell them they are holding him up,'' he said.

However, Crown Counsel Miss Sharon Kenny said she spoke to Attorney General Mr. Walter Maddocks in light of the judge's remarks, and "he feels it would be inappropriate for the Attorney General to interfere in any departmental situation''.

Mr. Duncan could not be reached for comment yesterday, but Miss Kenny said she spoke to him yesterday afternoon. "He will be there,'' she said.

Asked if that meant his immigration problems were resolved, Miss Kenny said Mr. Duncan should not attend court unless they are.

Miss Kenny said she was reluctant to see Brown go to trial without his lawyer, particularly on serious charges in Supreme Court.