Key legal question
Whether the refusal to compensate lawyer's fees for the criminal proceedings was lawful
Extracted holding
Yes. Given the minor charge, lack of factual or legal complexity, and the appellant's ability to defend himself, the refusal fell within the court's discretion.
Extracted reasoning
The offence was only a petty offence punished by fine; the case was uncomplicated; no inequality of arms or special personal hardship justified counsel.