Defence lawyer Charles Richardson could be called to the Bermuda Bar tomorrow - a move which would represent the final step in his transformation from one-time criminal to a reformed and respected legal practitioner.

Mr. Richardson, who works alongside Victoria Pearman and Craig Attridge at Juris Law Chambers, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in 1995 for his part in an infamous nightclub shooting.

Entering Westgate with only a secondary school diploma, Mr. Richardson successfully turned his life around during his seven and a half years of incarceration, completing his A-level law examination in 1997 and a law degree from the University of London in 2003.

“I made a determined choice when I entered prison to modify my behaviour and my attitude in a far-reaching and radical way,” he told The Royal Gazette in December last year.

“I no longer wanted to be a 21st century outlaw. There were periods when I felt I wanted to give up, that what I was doing was futile.

“But through my own sheer desire, the support of my family and a number of other individuals, I managed to stay the course.

“I owe them my life.”

Called to the Bar of England and Wales last year after a rigorous assessment, Mr. Richardson was initially concerned that some on the local Bar Council would oppose his application given his criminal record.

But The Royal Gazette understands that virtually all members of the Bar Council have agreed not to oppose his application, with the final decision set to be made by Chief Justice Richard Ground in the Supreme Court on Friday.

“Obviously I'm looking forward to Friday and I very much hope my application is approved,” Mr. Richardson said yesterday.

“But I'm not counting my chickens until they've hatched.”