A female lawyer had to be treated in hospital today after she was attacked as she left the Supreme Court.

Georgia Marshall is understood to have been assaulted after leaving the Chambers of Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller.

Police confirmed that a 59-year-old man had arrested in connection with the incident.

“Police responded to a report of assault that took place at the Supreme Court today,” a spokesman said.

“A female lawyer was assaulted by a male litigant during a matter that was being heard in Chambers.

“The 59-year-old Sandys parish man was arrested and is being detained at Hamilton Police Station.

“The female lawyer was taken to the hospital where she is being treated for facial injuries.

“A full investigation into this matter is under way.”

Ms Marshall is a leading specialist in family and matrimonial law and a director with Marshall Diel & Myers.

Justin Williams, head of the Bermuda Bar Association, called for better security at the Supreme Court buildings.

“The courts are an important part of our lives here in Bermuda — lawyers are an integral part of the court system and an unprovoked violent attack on one of our members is not only to be seen for the physical hurt that it caused, but should also be seen as an attack on our judicial system,” he said.

“It is a wake-up call that this should not have happened and certainly should not happen again and steps have to be taken to prevent it.

“Unfortunately, as with the days of leaving your home and your car unlocked and unguarded, that time has passed.

“Our Supreme Court and Appellate judges should be protected and there must be better security at the Supreme Court buildings and Registry.

“The Dame Lois Browne-Evans Building that houses the Magistrates’ Courts has security in place, which is in sharp contrast to that which is at the Supreme Court.

“Our thoughts go out to Ms Marshall, who was the victim today of this cowardly attack and we urge Government to make sure that this does not happen again in our courts.”