Harold Brady, the attorney at the centre of the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips affair, pleaded not guilty to breaching the Commissions of Enquiry Act in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The charge arose from his refusal to testify at the commission of enquiry probing the hiring of the US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to block the extradition of alleged crime lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Brady is being represented by a four-member legal team led by attorney George Soutar.

He returns to court on March 25.

The Crown is alleging that Brady refused to answer questions at the commission without sufficient justification.

The commission summoned Brady on January 20 to answer questions regarding his affidavit to the tribunal as well as his involvement in the entire Manatt affair.

However, when he faced the commission, the attorney would not testify, insisting all he had to say about the extradition saga was contained in his affidavit.

Commission Chairman Emil Gorge instructed that steps be taken for charges to be filed in the RM court against Brady.

If convicted, Brady can be fined up to $500.