PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Complaints brought by Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma against Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicholls have been dismissed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the Sunday Express newspaper reported.

Four members of the Commission - Christopher Thomas, Selby Wooding QC, Jean Permanand SC and Lionel Jones SC - came to the unanimous conclusion following a marathon meeting Friday, the newspaper quoted sources as saying.

Under the constitution, the Commission exercises disciplinary control over all judicial officers, excluding the Chief Justice.

Sharma filed a complaint in May stating that the Chief Magistrate had falsely stated that he (Sharma) had tried to sway his decision in the trial of former prime minister Basdeo Panday, who was convicted and sentenced for breaching local integrity legislation. He is out on bail appealing his conviction.