A hi-tech reporting system will not be fully up and running for at least a year, Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said on Friday.

But Ms Webb insisted Government was treating the introduction of a proper method for keeping a record of court proceedings as a priority.

Ms Webb was speaking during Friday's session of the House of Assembly, only days after Opposition Senator Mark Pettingill called on Government to get a reporting system in place as fast as possible.

But on Friday night Sen. Pettingill -- also a barrister -- said he was "extremely disappointed'' at the news.

He added: "Certainly, we were all led to believe that `in the works' meant exactly that -- it would happen immediately, a matter of weeks at this stage.'' Mr. Pettingill said: "When Government came in in 1998, we had assurances it was going to happen that year. Now we're no further forward and we're being told it won't happen for another year.

"Everything this Government has given assurances about, we're told it's in the works -- a new Bermuda is in the works. To my mind that's getting old.'' Sen. Pettingill said Bermuda's current reporting system -- in which the judge makes handwritten notes of court cases -- made it a lame duck in legal circles and the cost of slowed-up trials and lost business was massive compared to the cost of a modern system.

He added: "On the private, civil side, when they hear we don't have that, they don't want to come here. We're not doing ourselves any favours.'' And he predicted: "I'm beginning to think more and more it'll be a matter for a United Bermuda Party Government a couple of years down the road.'' Ms Webb told the House that seven companies had responded with proposals for the contract and a shortlist of four firms had now been drawn up.

And Ms Webb said the legal profession would be consulted before a final decision is made next February.

But she added: "While the solutions proposed by the vendors will address the technology component, the full solution will require site preparation, the hiring and training of operators and the adoption of practical and cost-effective business processes that comply with the protocol established within the judicial process for such matters as transcription and recording of court proceedings.

"Consequently, while it may be possible to put the technology in place, it is certainly not reasonable to expect to reap the benefits of a smooth-running solution for at least a year.'' Earlier this year, the Bar Association took the unusual step of presenting a petition to the House of Assembly asking for a reporting system to be considered as a matter of urgency.

And top lawyer Richard Hector warned that the Island faced losing business because of the antiquated system of judges taking notes of the proceedings.

But Ms Webb said yesterday: "I trust that the House is now satisfied that the Government is treating the problem of antiquated court reporting as a matter of importance.

"In fact, we're keen to see a practical and cost-effective solution put in place as soon as is practically possible.'' Renee Webb