Archibald Warner has been appointed to the post.

The announcement formalised Mr. Warner in the position where he has already set about making his mark -- insisting offenders pay fines immediately unless they provide a strong excuse.

With effect from Monday, Mr. Warner has accepted the post for three years and will receive an annual salary of $98,297 a year.

Born in Barbados, Mr. Warner came to Bermuda in 1968 as a Police constable and resigned in 1973 to begin law studies.

He joined the Attorney General's Chambers as Crown Counsel and became a Government legal advisor in 1983 before going into private practice in 1991.

In late 1998, Mr. Warner replaced Arthur Hodgson as a Magistrate when Mr.

Hodgson was elected to Parliament.

Last week The Royal Gazette revealed Mr. Warner's intention to do something about the more than 15,000 warrants that are outstanding for unpaid fines.

"I can safely say it is our intention to more rigorously enforce and collect these unpaid fines. Certainly, in my view, where there is no good excuse, then the person has got to pay the fine forthwith or serve the default.'' COURTS CTS