The appointment means a quick return to the courts for Sir James who retired in September and was replaced by the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward.

Ironically it will give Sir James the power to overturn decisions made by his successor.

Last week the former Chief Justice was made a Knight Commander of the British Empire in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Sir James was Bermuda's longest-serving Chief Justice this century, from 1977 until September, 1993. He was the first black man to hold the post.

He spent 17 years of his legal career in the West Indies, after attending law school in England. He was resident magistrate in Jamaica between 1963 and 1974 before returning to Bermuda where he served as Senior Magistrate and Solicitor General.

Sir James, currently off the Island, was appointed to the Court of Appeal until December 31, 1996, along with Queen's Counsel the Hon. Mr. Justice Michael Kempster.

Present Appeal Court judges President the Hon. Sir Denys Roberts, the Hon. Sir Alan Huggins, the Hon. Mr. Justice Harvey da Costa and the Hon. Mr. Justice P.

Telford Georges were reappointed until the end of the year.