Lawyer Julian Hall is to appear in Magistrates Court this morning after being arrested on suspicion of stealing.

Magistrates' court was told yesterday afternoon that Mr. Hall was unable to make it to a 2.30 p.m. hearing due to the fact that he was in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Prosecutor Vinette Graham-Allen told the court that Mr. Hall was taken to hospital on Wednesday night after complaining of feeling unwell. He remained in hospital last night.

Once one of Bermuda's top defence lawyers, Mr. Hall was arrested at a private residence in Devonshire on Wednesday morning on suspicion of stealing.

The Royal Gazette understands his arrest was the result of a criminal complaint made to Police arising from a civil lawsuit he lost in December 1997, when he was ordered to pay $1.6 million - plus interest - to a former client of his, Betty Lorraine McMahon.

Mr. Hall, represented by lawyer Michael Scott, is expected to appear at 10 a.m. today.