court judge.

Mr. Michael Scott got a stinging rebuke from Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs.

Justice Wade for not showing up at the hearing.

The court clerk and even the rival lawyer tried to track Mr. Scott down, the court heard.

But in the end the case had to go ahead without him. Mrs. Justice Wade was speaking in Supreme Court yesterday as she announced her judgement in a case between Robert Ross Doe and Mr. Scott's client Robert O'Connor.

Doe was assaulted by O'Connor in January, 1989 and sued his attacker for damages. The judge decided he should get $8,742.

And she scolded Mr. Scott for not coming to court to represent O'Connor. "The record shows Mr. Michael Scott as attorney of record for the defendant,'' she said.

"However, he was not present at the hearing of this matter. Before proceeding in his absence, unsuccessful efforts were made by the court's clerk to reach Mr. Scott at his chambers.

"In addition Mr. Kieron Unwin, counsel for the plaintiff, informed the court that on Tuesday, October 20, he attended at Mr. Scott's chambers.

"Although Mr. Scott was not in chambers, a message was left to remind Mr.

Scott of the hearing date. Mr. Unwin said he made this personal effort because Mr. Scott has had a history of not appearing on previous occasions.'' Paget resident Mr. Scott is a Progressive Labour Party candidate for Southampton West.

Yesterday he could not be reached by The Royal Gazette at Browne and Wade, the firm of which he is a member. Inquiries at Hall, Duncan and Trott, where he has been assisting Mr. Julian Hall, were also unsuccessful.

The damages case heard that O'Connor assaulted Doe, a 48-year-old fisherman, leaving him with a fractured jaw and facial injuries.

Doe spent two days in hospital, and had an operation on his left cheek to relieve numbness. Doctors concluded he should not have any permanent disability.

Mrs. Justice Ward said the $8,742 covered his pain and suffering, medical expenses and income lost during three weeks off work.

Mr. Michael Scott.