Union's victory in overturning a $100,000-a-day fine and order for its assets to be seized.

Yesterday Attorney General Mr. Walter Maddocks revealed he had paved the way towards a possible appeal. "We have filed an application for leave to appeal,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

The news, however, brought an explosive response from top BIU lawyer Mr.

Julian Hall, who said any appeal would be doomed to the "most miserable and utter failure''.

Last month the Court of Appeal sided with the BIU against an order by Chief Justice the Hon. Sir James Astwood.

Sir James had imposed a $100,000-a-day fine and sequestration order on the union for an alleged breach of a Government-inspired injunction demanding an end to illegal striking over the Bermuda Forwarders' dispute. Mr. Hall won the day after arguing the Chief Justice made his decision without hearing the BIU's case.

Mr. Maddocks said any referral to the Privy Council would hinge on the Court of Appeal's yet to be handed down reasons for granting the union's appeal.