A Call to the Bar became a family affair yesterday when Richard Collis and his sister-in-law, Sophia Collis, became members of the Bermuda Bar on the same day.

Mr Collis, 31, added: “It would have been great if my older brother was here as well, but he was called a couple of months ago.”

His brother, Alexander Collis, had intended to be called yesterday but his ceremony was moved to May because of the pending birth of his child.

Mr Collis said it was an honour to follow in the footsteps of “so many of my family members” in his address to Chief Justice Narinder Hargun.

Lawyers in the family have included his grandfather, parents, two uncles and brother.

He added: “I have always respected the work my parents have done and how passionate they were about their careers.”

Mr Collis said it had never been his plan to follow in the family profession and that his parents had encouraged him to consider other careers.

He added: “I suspect it was to inspire me to do whatever I am passionate about, but I am very thankful for their continued support.”

Mr Collis is a solicitor at corporate firm Peregrine Law in London.

He said: “Through this exposure, I hope to be well placed to provide a meaningful contribution to this community and the Bermuda Bar when I return.”

Ms Collis told the court that she had gone from having one lawyer in her family to having “what could constitute a small firm”.

She added: “I am privileged to have the guidance and support of each of them, particularly during the time I was training to be a solicitor.”

Ms Collis, an associate in the London office of island law firm Conyers, Dill & Pearman, thanked her family and her husband for their support.

She told Mr Justice Hargun that she intended to return to Bermuda after her husband completed medical training in the United Kingdom.

She said: “We will return in the future bringing with us knowledge and experience to best contribute to our community, and me, to the Bermuda Bar.”

Mr Justice Hargun congratulated both on their achievement.

He added: “I’m sure both of you will be a credit to both of your families.”