Tributes poured in for the retiring Chief Justice Austin Ward yesterday with many lawyers reminiscing on his humorous moments, his unruffled nature and how he made them feel comfortable and brought out the best out of them.

Attorney General Larry Mussenden said that the Chief Justice, who will only semi-retire on Friday before taking up a post in the Court of Appeals, treated everyone who came before the courts with respect.

He added: ?That included lawyers as well.?

Mr. Mussenden thanked the Chief Justice for signing what appeared to be the Schedule of Costs for lawyers? court fees.

?I know I will probably get into trouble for saying this, but you recently signed something that would please all counsel,? he said.

Mr. Mussenden also thanked Mr. Ward on behalf of Premier Alex Scott, the Government of Bermuda and the Bermudian people for his service to the Island, which has spanned about 35 years.

Mr. Justice Ward, who is married with two daughters, came to Bermuda in 1969 to work in a private practice, but soon worked as Registrar of the Supreme Court, Solicitor General, magistrate, and on occasion he acted as Deputy Governor and AG.

Solicitor General Wilhelm Bourne, who has also worked with Chief Justice Ward, said it was a pleasure to stand in front of him and thanked him for being a good friend and a mentor. He also wished him every success in the Court of Appeals.

Director of Public Prosecutions Kulandra Ratneser said the Chief Justice always maintained a level of respect in the courts.

?I will miss you Sir,? he said as he thanked him on behalf of the DPP?s Chambers.

Bar Council president David Kessaram pointed out the changes in the legal system, like personal injury cases and more sophisticated business cases, which the Chief Justice had helped along.

Queens Counsel and former AG Saul Froomkin said that no one ever left his court room feeling like they had not learned something or feeling unsure about the law.

He thanked Mr. Justice Ward for his service and friendship over the years.

Appleby Spurling & Kempe?s John Riihiluoma spoke about the Chief Justice?s involvement in the insolvency proceedings cases while Conyers, Dill & Pearman?s Narinder Hargun spoke about the Insurance Act of 1978.

He said the Chief Justice had played a major role in the changes, which made Bermuda law less parochial.

Trott and Duncan partner Delroy Duncan thanked him for his humour in cases.

Wakefield Quin?s Mark Pettingill thanked the Chief Justice for all the things he had learned from him.

Patrice Harvey said she was having mixed feelings and the Chief Justice asked her: ?So you want me to go and you want me to stay.?

She thanked him for his leadership when she was a junior counsel.

The Chief Justice thanked his family for keeping him humble and said: ?I have been blessed by being able to hear the tributes and all the nice things in person.

?I thank everyone in my office from my personal administrator to the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

?I have had a good relationship with all of them.?