COLLEAGUES of the lawyer whose professional competence was questioned by Mr Justice Duffy during a trial last week say his career in Hong Kong could be in ruins.
In an unprecedented move, the High Court judge halted the trial because he thought defence lawyer William Allan ''might not be competent to adequately protect'' the accused.
But as Mr Allan's reputation lay in tatters last night, colleagues sprang to his defence and accused Mr Justice Duffy of being ''unfair''.
Luiz Pedruco, a barrister in the same chambers as Mr Allan, said: ''I know Willie to be a good and competent lawyer, and it is very unfair of Duffy to say otherwise.
''How can a judge say that when he has no idea what instructions have been given to the lawyer by the client.
''Whether Duffy is right or wrong it could ruin Willie's career. He will get no more legal aid work.'' Mr Allan, 32, who describes himself as half Chinese and half Scottish, was still shocked yesterday by Friday's events.