MIAMI -- Other offshore e-commerce jurisdictions may use Bermuda's immigration laws as a stick to beat us with, a local lawyer warned last week.

Appleby Spurling & Kempe partner Warren Cabral commented following his presentation on a panel entitled "Understanding the Impact of the E-Commerce Regulation in Offshore Jurisdictions'' at an electronic commerce conference held in Miami last week.

During the panel presentation, one of the delegates stood up and asked Mr.

Cabral about the impact of the employment restrictions recently announced by the Bermuda Government.

Mr. Cabral replied that it was a "recapitulation of existing policy...with a few add-ons in areas such as caps on the length of work permits''.

And he said that any changes were "not coming into force immediately'', noting that the rearticulation was more of a posturing -- the new Government having certain electoral commitments of inclusion for Bermuda residents.

Mr. Cabral spoke with The Royal Gazette following the presentation, and stated: "There's no doubt in my mind that other jurisdictions will use Bermuda's -- perceived -- restrictions as a stick to beat us with.'' "We have to make sure the actual applications of the law are seen to be fair and evenly applied,'' he said.

"And the businesses that are affected must be given the opportunity to voice their concerns and be heard.

"The Government has a constituency they have to gratify -- the balance is not throwing the baby out with the bathwater.'' Regarding the conference as a whole, Mr. Cabral said some delegates felt there was too much of a focus on Bermuda.

"The strong Bermuda theme got on the nerves of the delegates. One guy from Barbados said it was unbalanced (in its focus)... that was a gripe that many people shared,'' Mr. Cabral said.

"What this demonstrates for Bermuda is that we cannot be complacent -- it cannot be assumed that everyone is flocking (to us),'' he added.

And Mr. Cabral complimented the presentation by First Atlantic Commerce vice president Andrea Wilson on the second day of the conference as being an example of giving guidance without touting her own company.

"The subliminal message for Bermuda is effectively, show me the money, show me the product,'' he added.

Warren Cabral BUSINESS BUC