Neblett

Petitioner instituted this proceeding for the purpose of reviewing an order of the Board of Gov *78 ernors of the State Bar recommending that he be disbarred from the practice of law in this state.

On February 24, 1940, the petitioner was served with a notice to appear and show cause before a local committee of the respondent State Bar why he should not be disciplined for allegedly having given false testimony in a libel action commenced by him in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. The alleged false testimony given by the petitioner before the jury in his libel action is set out at length in the notice to show cause and consumes some twelve typewritten pages thereof. At the hearings before the local committee petitioner admitted that he had so testified in the libel action but denied the charge of falsity. In fact, before the committee he testified to substantially the same effect by way of explanation of the transactions underlying both the libel action and the disciplinary proceeding. In other words, except in immaterial and minor details petitioner has not receded from the position taken by him as a witness in the libel action.

Briefly stated, both the libel action,…