Lord Cohen:

The appellant is an advocate and solicitor practising in the Federation of Malaya. He appeals against an Order of the Supreme Court of the Federation dated the 27th August, 1953, suspending him from practice for a period of six months in respect of each of two charges brought against him but directing that in each case the period of suspension was to commence from the date of the Order.

The Judgment of the Lords of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council was delivered by:-

The Order was made under s. 26 of the Advocates and Solicitors Ordinance, 1947 (No. 4 of 1947) It is, so far as material in the following terms:

Section 26 - (1) Every advocate and solicitor shall be subject to the control of the Court and shall be liable on due cause shown to have his admission revoked and to be struck off the roll of the Court or to be suspended from practice for any period not exceeding two years or to be ensured. (2) Such due cause may be shown by proof that such advocate and solicitor -

(b) has been guilty of fraudulent or grossly improper conduct in the discharge of his professional duty ...

The question at issue is as to the meaning to be placed on the words "