Lawyer Fined for being late

A Superior Court justice in Thunder Bay was so irritated by a lawyer's ``habitual lateness'' he decided to hit him in the pocketbook.

After lawyer Leon Nicol arrived late for two hearings last month on a trial matter, Justice Patrick Smith decided to fine him 250-dollars.

Smith noted that more than a warning was needed to get the message across that lawyers must be on time when court is scheduled to start.

Nicol said he was ``disappointed'' with the outcome, but immediately paid the fine.