looks like going to the own Bermuda Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd. wrangle.

An article in the latest edition of the United Kingdom legal trade magazine The Lawyer suggests the dubious award should be presented to the Bermuda Fire case which it says is costing 100,000 or $160,000 each day.

It quoted "sources close to the Bermuda Fire & Marine Insurance fraud litigation on the Island'' who were "astonished at the mounting costs''. The case hit the Hamilton court room in May and is not even thought to be half over at this stage. Many involved expect it to continue until March or April next year.

The magazine speculates about what exactly is costing so much. "The case involves 28 lawyers, six QCs and solicitors from DJ Freeman, Herbert Smith, Clifford Chance and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert. "It concerns allegations of dishonesty and improper conduct against businessmen and firms involved with the 1993 collapse of Bermuda Fire & Marine Insurance.'' A clerk at Erskine Chambers, which is supplying leading silk Robin Potts QC along with a junior counsel, was quoted saying: "In terms of costs, this is the biggest case ever to take place in the Commonwealth.'' Other lawyers hesitated to go all the way.

Top commercial barrister, and the treasurer of the commercial bar, Michael Brindle QC of Fountain Court, said if the $160,000 bill was correct, that would make it just "one of the most costly cases'' in history. The article said lawyers believed it was costing more than the Maxwell case where Kevin Maxwell was acquitted of fraud charges.

BUSINESS BUC