Lawyer Michael Scott was yesterday warned he faced contempt of court charges after refusing to sit down when ordered by a judge.

Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux saw red after Mr. Scott objected to a question by plaintiff Frederick Hendrickson's lawyer Kieron Unwin.

And a furious Mr. Justice Meerabux banged the bench three times with his fist and shouted at Mr. Scott to sit down.

The shock row broke out during the civil trial of former Bank of Bermuda senior loan officer Arnold Todd.

Todd denies owing Frederick Hendrickson money for property, building materials, and rent from property at Town Hill, Flatts, Smith's Parish.

Mr. Scott told the court he had no instructions from Todd on whether the defendant had instructed his sister Ann Simmons on entries into the ledger of F.L. Enterprises Ltd.

During the trial Mr. Scott had asked several times for adjournments so that he could familiarise himself with the case. But Mr. Justice Meerabux denied all the requests.

And on one occasion Mr. Meerabux told him that the evidence "just goes unchallenged'' if he chose not to proceed.

Yesterday Mr. Justice Meerabux shouted: "There is no record that I compelled you to take the case. It is a matter for you and your client. When a Court tells you to sit, you sit down, Mr. Scott. Sit down!'' After a 20-minute adjournment, Mr. Justice Meerabux returned and Mr. Scott apologised to the court.

Throughout the day Todd told Mr. Unwin "I have no knowledge of that'' and "I had no control over that company'', in relation to the accounts ledger of F.L.

Enterprises Ltd. from the 1980's.

And he said he could not remember discussing with Mr. Hendrickson or his now-deceased wife, payments to Mr. Hendrickson for the Town Hill property.

"Isn't it true you tricked him in that you told him $40,000 was to be paid into his account on May 6, 1988,'' Mr. Unwin asked.

"Absolutely not,'' Todd replied.

Mr. Unwin asked Todd if it was true that Mrs. Simmons made entries into the ledger on his instructions.

"That would not be correct,'' he told the court. "It is ridiculous that I would give item by item entries in that ledger.'' Todd also denied receiving almost $3500 in rental commissions between January and June 1990 through the account of F.L. Enterprises, and denied that F.L.

Enterprises was a front for his business dealings.

through Mr. Hendrickson -- several container loads of construction equipment for the Town Hill property, and failing to pay for a truck and cement mixer.

Todd, of Southampton, told the court he made a written agreement with Mr.

Hendrickson to buy two lots of land in 1988 and any subsequent subdivision was outside the agreement.

"Mr. Hendrickson acknowledged receipt of $200,000 for two lots of land on 23 November 1988,'' Todd repeated numerous times to Mr. Unwin's questions about payments for three properties. "He was paid in full on that date.'' He added: "I do not remember asking for power of attorney. I never sent that to him. I have no knowledge of that.'' Todd also claimed to have only found out about Mr. Hendrickson's various claims for construction materials after the case was brought to court.

He added: "I understand that Darren Woods and Delmont Talbot imported goods through Mr. Hendrickson for property throughout the island. At no time did I agree to pay for those containers.

The trial continues.