Protesters have hinted that the so-called 'GoldenEye' case may not be the only challenge to a controversial Government policy banning Bermudians from selling their homes to foreigners.

Supreme Court Judge Geoffrey Bell ruled in March that the policy was "unlawful" and "an abuse of power" after Bermudian property developers Alan and Vera Rosa Marshall took the Government to court.

The couple had complained that the policy change which was made in 2005 prevented them selling their $45 million Tucker's Town mansion GoldenEye on which they had invested $37 million. They claimed no Bermudian would be able to afford the asking price for the plush home, which is on so-called Billionaires' Row and was rumoured to have once been sought by American TV star Oprah Winfrey.

The judge's ruling is set to be challenged at the Court of Appeal on Thursday and Friday. The Government has enlisted the services of top UK lawyer Professor Jeffrey Jowell QC to argue its case although the grounds of the appeal have not yet been made public. Ahead of this, a group of protesters calling themselves 'Citizens for a Participatory Democracy' took out an advertisement in today's to complain about the decision to hire Prof. Jowell.

"The Government has chosen to spend an unconscionable and unnecessary amount of our money on one of the top UK barristers to take away our civil liberties. Yes, the people's tax dollars are being used against the people ? Bermudians!" states the ad. It calls upon legislators to consult with the electorate before making such policy changes, and also reveals that a group action against the Government has been mooted.

"Some of us initiated a class action suit against Government that we put on hold until the earlier suit filed by the GoldenEye owners was decided," it said.

Those who placed the advertisement did not wish for their identity to be made public. No-one could be reached for comment yesterday on whether the plans for a class action remain in the pipeline.