Two law firms have been hired to review the corporations of Hamilton and St. George and make recommendations about their future, Senator Walter Roban announced today.

Sen. Roban, who is the Minister responsible for the reforms, said local firm Attride-Stirling & Woloniecki Barristers & Attorneys and the international firm of McKenna Long & Aldridge have been hired as consultants for the proposed reform of the Corporation of Hamilton and the Corporation of St. George.

And Sen. Roban stressed that the Government has no “preconceived notions” and is waiting until the report is complete, in June, before making any decisions.

And he denied that the Government intends to close the two entities.

Minister Roban said: “In meetings with stakeholders I have advised that the Government will rely on the report from our consultants on how best to approach this reform effort in terms of the franchise, governance, efficiency, accountability and ensuring the tenets of democracy are available to all in the municipalities and Bermuda.”

McKenna Long & Aldridge is an international law firm with 475 attorneys and public policy advisers. The company is recognised in the US as leaders in the complex field of government reform according to a Government press release.

For the full story see tomorrow's Royal Gazette