Gopal Sri Ram JCA:

Introduction

This appeal arises from the decision of the High Court finding the appellant guilty of contempt for the breach of an injunction and sentencing him to one month's imprisonment. On 31 January 1997 this Court granted the appellant bail pending appeal in the sum of RM200,000 in two sureties and ordered him to surrender his international and restricted passports. Since this matter involved the liberty of a citizen, we directed an early hearing of the appeal.

Facts and Background

The appellant is a member of the legal profession. So are the respondents. All of them were at one point in time members of the Judicial and Legal Service. They resigned and had themselves admitted to the Bar. They came together and formed a firm in which they practised as advocates and solicitors. Initially they enjoyed an amicable relationship. Later it turned sour. In the end they decided to part company. The appellant left the firm. The respondents decided to stay on together and practise law. The separation of these former friends was bitter and acrimonious. They hurled allegations against each other. It culminated in a suit being filed by the respondents against th