ceremony at the Supreme Court before Puisne Judge Richard Ground.

Larry Mussenden -- who is also a Captain in the Bermuda Regiment -- was presented to the court by Bermuda's newest Queen's Counsel, Solicitor General Barrie Meade.

Mr. Meade told the court that it was his "distinct honour'' to present Mr.

Mussenden who had been "personally known'' to him since 1981 and was a "fit and proper person'' of "good character''.

Mr. Mussenden was educated at Prospect Primary, Warwick Academy and the Bermuda College before attending Acadia University in Canada, the University of Kent in England and Gray's Inn in London, said Mr. Meade.

Mr. Mussenden had also been a member of the Police Service, he continued, and received the award of Best Recruit while there.

He had also served as Aide-de-Camp for Governor Lord Waddington and Lady Waddington and also for the previous Governor Sir Desmond Langley and Lady Langley.

Mr. Mussenden donned his wig and gown and said it was an "honour and privilege'' to stand before the court as he had witnessed many calls to the Bar but "never thought I would actually be standing here myself''.

Mr. Mussenden thanked his family and friends -- including those at the Attorney General's Chambers where he spent his pupillage and continues to work -- for their support and added that: "I am deeply indebted to the Regiment and its Commanding Officers for all that it has done for me.'' He joked: "I would even venture to commend service in the Regiment to all members of the Bar, however, I do recognise that such a venture would probably not be met with equal enthusiasm, even opposed and supported by some recent legal authorities.'' He said that in the computer age, with CD-ROMS and e-mails to help with research and case studies: "If we are not careful, my next appearance in this honourable court may be by video conference from Chambers.'' Lawyer Victoria Pearman welcomed Mr. Mussenden to the Bar and said she could easily understand why he might prefer the Regiment to law as in the Regiment he could shout at people while in law as a junior barrister, he was the one who would be shouted at.

And lawyer Marc Telemaque -- a Lieutenant in the Regiment -- said "it is a great privilege to welcome Mr. Mussenden as a junior member of the Bar''.

He explained to the court that he and the new barrister occupied a curious and precarious position with Mr. Mussenden being his commanding officer but junior to him in law.

NEW QUEEN'S COUNSEL -- Solicitor General Barrie Meade receives his letters patent confirming his appointment as a Queen's Counsel from Governor Lord Waddington this week. Lord Waddington said Mr. Meade's appointment was a proper recognition of the important work done by law officers and should encourage others to take on these heavy responsibilities. Mr. Meade, 54, has been Solicitor General since 1992.