H.M.B.P. Herath vs Nizam Mohammed Shameem – SC RULE NO. 6/2021-2023

In the case between H.M.B.P. Herath, Secretary of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (Complainant) and Nizam Mohammed Shameem, Attorney-at-Law (Respondent), the court addressed whether the Respondent, as an Attorney-at-Law, engaged in professional misconduct by permitting a mobile phone to be brought into the Commission’s hearing venue, thereby facilitating unauthorized recording of judicial proceedings. It was held that the Respondent had committed serious misconduct, though mitigating circumstances, such as youth and professional inexperience, were acknowledged. The principle reaffirmed is that legal practitioners must strictly adhere to procedural safeguards safeguarding judicial process integrity. Reference was made to Section 42(2) of the Judicature Act, reinforcing the necessity