Controversial judge Denis Mitchell, who left the epic Thyssen-Bornemisza trial in the lurch when he walked out in a row over pay, has been pipped at the post for judge of the year in a satirical review of the law in a London newspaper.

Judge Mitchell walked out of the Supreme Court civil trial last March after 105 days of evidence saying he had "had enough" following a dispute with Governor Thorold Masefield over pay and his terms of employment.

The judge wanted $1500 a day to carry on trial plus a $100,000 settlement if it continued after his contract expired.

The trial has not resumed and no replacement judge has been named, leaving the outcome of the battle over the $2.7 billion Thyssen fortune in doubt.

Lawyers for the Baron said at the time that Bermuda could be exposed to a substantial compensation claim and observers said the Island's reputation as a civil jurisdiction handling major cases had taken a battering.

Writing in The Times, David Pannick QC, shortlisted Judge Mitchell, Judge Ramon Reid of Washington State in the United States, Judge Hubert Dunn at the Old Bailey in London, and Magistrate William Rolstone of Stratford Magistrates in East London.

Saying the award was "strongly contested", Mr. Pannick gave the dubious accolade to Mr. Rolstone, who presided over the trial of world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, who was charged with drink driving.

Mr. O'Sullivan's lawyer Nick Freeman asked the magistrate: "Excuse me sir, did I just see you wink at the press?"

The judge replied: "Why would I wink at anybody? Do you think I'm gay or something?"

Judge Reid said he would suspend defendants' sentences if they promised to "be out of town by sunset".

And in the Old Bailey trial of a Turkish footballer, the defendant was asked "did you ever play with Pele?", prompting Judge Dunn to ask: "Who is Pele?"