Lawyer Julian Hall looks to have escaped a criminal investigation into his appearing without a practising certificate because his fellow lawyers have not reported him to Police.

The Bermuda Bar Association looked into the matter in February after The Royal Gazette revealed that Mr. Hall appeared in Supreme Court in January without a valid practising certificate.

The Bar Association confirmed that Mr. Hall, who is now bankrupt, did not have a practising certificate for 2000.

Chief Justice Austin Ward issued a statement to The Royal Gazette that Mr.

Hall appeared before him at Supreme Court on January 5.

The Bar Association also confirmed that a lawyer appearing in court for a client without a certificate has committed an offence under the Bermuda Bar Act punishable by a $10,000 fine, jail for two years, or both.

Despite this, the Association has not reported the matter to Police.

The matter was referred to the Bar Association's Professional Conduct Committee, which deals with alleged disciplinary breaches.

Saul Froomkin, a member of committee, refused to comment on what action, if any, had been taken and referred calls to Bar Association President Richard Hector.

The Royal Gazette spoke to Mr. Hector, who said these matters were confidential but he would try to provide a statement. For more than a week, however, he has not returned telephone calls.

A Police spokesman said no investigation had been launched because no one had made a complaint.

The spokesman said: "If we are going to investigate, there has to be a complaint. There has been no complaint from the Bar Association or anyone else.'' Mr. Hall, a former Progressive Labour Party MP, was declared bankrupt on January 26 and thus barred from practising.

He was ordered in December, 1997 to pay a former client, Canadian widow Betty Lorraine McMahon, $1.6 million plus seven percent interest.

Mr. Hall was accused by Mrs. McMahon's lawyer Alan Dunch of consistently dodging his financial responsibilities. Mr. Dunch succeeded in January this year in having Mr. Hall declared bankrupt.

Mr. Hall's creditors faced further frustration two weeks ago when he failed to turn up a creditors' meeting. Under the Bankruptcy Rules, he was required to attend the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned until May. The Official Receiver Jeremy Cox is examining what to do now, but it is understood the next step that can be taken is to apply for a warrant for Mr. Hall's arrest.

It is not known whether Mr. Hall is on the Island.

Julian Hall