Two new Puisne Judges were confirmed at a Government House swearing-in ceremony yesterday, ending an exhaustive new selection process which Governor Sir John Vereker says would strengthen the justice system in Bermuda.

Former corporate lawyer and constitutional law expert Ian Kawaley and former assistant justice Charles-Etta Simmons had to contend with about a dozen other applicants for the positions to become the first Supreme Court judges to be selected through open competition.

Sir John said that the occasion marked a "special day for Bermuda".

"I'm delighted that such strong candidates came through," he said. "This will further strengthen the civil and criminal justice system in Bermuda."

"Of course I'm extremely pleased and proud, especially since I've had the support of my family and friends throughout my career and in particular the last four years in the post of assistant justice," said Ms Simmons.

"This is a new era of accountability for Supreme Court judges."

The Governor also extended the tenure of Acting Justice Phillip Storr and Assistant Justice Archibald Warner until the end of the year.

And Charlene Scott, who has been acting as the Supreme Court registrar, was confirmed in the post.

Mr. Justice Kawaley and Ms Justice Simmons will be on renewable five-year contracts, but not even Sir John could say whether the new practice of "transparent and open competition" will continue when the contracts end.

"The answer to that is that will be a decision for my successor," he said.

Sir John is on a three-year contract.

The Puisne Judgeships were openly advertised for the first time ever. In the past, appointments have been made by the Governor after much behind-the-scenes consultations.

Sir John decided to change that process soon after he became Governor last year. First to be affected was the post of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which was advertised as post-holder Khamisi Tokunbo neared the end of his three-year contract.

Mr. Tokunbo did not apply for the job but initiated legal action which he later dropped.