Senators expressed surprise that the One Bermuda Alliance brought its legal reform bills before the Upper House today.

Among them was Progressive Labour Party senator Marc Daniels, who had been tipped to lead the debate on behalf of the Opposition.

Sen Daniels suggested the OBA had deliberately sprang the two bills on the Senate today — the Opposition had previously been advised during repeated sessions when it never came up for debate.

Sen Daniels, a lawyer, is taking part in a courtroom trial today and was unable to attend, although his presence would not have been sufficient to tip the vote in the PLP’s favour. The bill passed by six votes to four.

The bill that passed this morning is the first of two: up for debate this afternoon is the Criminal Jurisdiction and Procedure Act 2015.