Lawyer Chris Comeskey in new probe

Lawyer Chris Comeskey was under investigation for professional misconduct last night after a stinging attack on the country's judges and police force.

The former police detective launched a verbal attack on the judiciary last weekend following a Wanganui District Court decision forcing him and two others to give evidence at the depositions of a man accused of stealing medals from Waiouru Army Museum in 2007.

Comeskey said taking the stand would jeopardise lawyer client confidentiality, and last weekend told Sunday News he still didn't intend giving evidence.

He went on to tell another newspaper that Kiwi judges had "become bureaucrats," questioned the quality of their judgments and said New Zealand was stupid for abolishing its relationship with London's Privy Council because "clearly we don't have the intellectual horse power" to make sound judgments.

Comeskey also branded the police force "sub-standard".

The New Zealand Law Society confirmed an investigation into Comeskey's comments was underway and would be handled by the Ministry of Justice's newly formed disciplinary tribunal.

"The comments as reported are not appropriate for any lawyer to make. The society views them seriously," outgoing president John Marshall, QC, told Sunday News.

"Lawyers ... may criticise a judgment and of course exercise rights of appeal or review, but not criticise judges personally."

The inquiry is Comeskey's second at present before the Lawyers and Conveyances Disciplinary Tribunal.

- © Fairfax NZ News