Governor Sir John Vereker appointed two new Supreme Court judges yesterday and said it was now time to turn the focus on the lower court.

Appleby Spurling and Hunter senior counsel Geoffrey Bell QC and acting judge Carlisle Greaves have been appointed to the Supreme Court for five years.

Mr. Greaves made his name by improving efficiency in the magistrates' courts and began a three-month trial period in the higher court in the summer when Archibald Warner resumed his position running the magistrates' courts after a spell as a judge.

Sir John said the appointments gave the Island a full compliment of judges.

"It's a very, very strong Supreme Court."

He said Bermuda had been very lucky to get Mr. Bell, 59, who has acted as a Supreme Court judge while Mr Greaves was a very convincing candidate.

Sir. John refused to say whether Archibald Warner, who has more than three years' experience as an acting Supreme Court judge, had applied.

He said: "Since I have been here every judicial appointment has been made based on open competition and a proper selection process.

"Appointments are not made on seniority but on who we think is the best person for the job."

Chief Justice Richard Ground has made public calls for a dedicated commercial Supreme Court but Sir John said it was up to the Chief Justice about how he deployed the judges.

Bermuda now has six Supreme Court judges. They are Chief Justice Richard Ground, Norma Wade-Miller, Ian Kawaley, Charles-Etta Simmons, Geoffrey Bell and Carlisle Greaves. The two new appointments will be sworn in by the Governor on January 4.

Sir John said: "I am very pleased with the progress we have made in bringing about a more effective criminal justice system.

"We have an excellent Chief Justice who commands the confidence of everybody in the system.

"I have reconstituted the Court of Appeal which now has some world class appeal judges and we have an excellent Supreme Court."

He said the final piece in the judicial jigsaw was the magistrate courts. Magistrates Edward King, 66, and William Francis are over the official retirement age.

"We do have to find, before long, some new magistrates. We have advertised on a number of occasions and will be ready to make an announcement before too long but we are not quite ready to do so yet."