Quinell Maria Binns and Charmaine Outerbridge Smith were ushered into the Island's legal community during a double Call to the Bar ceremony in the Supreme Court.

Lawyer Sonia Grant, who made the application on behalf of Ms Binns, and Attorney General Elliott Mottley, who spoke for Mrs. Smith, told the court that both women were highly qualified to join the Bar. Ms Binns, who is to marry Stephen Kumalae on Sunday, received her primary and secondary education at the Bermuda Institute where she was honoured as head girl, house captain, senior class president and valedictorian.

Ms Binns achieved her law degree at the University of Buckingham, England in July.

And three weeks ago, she was admitted to the bar of England and Wales.

During the ceremony yesterday, Ms Binns expressed thanks to those who helped her through "years of hard work and dedication''.

"I will practise honesty and integrity as I fight for justice on our paradise Island,'' she said.

Ms Binns plans to provide legal services either as Magistrates' Court duty counsel or the legal aid programme.

She is the daughter of Quinton Binns and granddaughter of organist Edith Spencer.

Newly-wed Mrs. Smith received her early education at Francis Patton and Harrington Sound Primary Schools before she graduated from Warwick Academy and the Saltus Senior Year.

She then attended the Bermuda College as well as Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in international relations and economics.

Mrs. Smith studied law at both the University of Buckingham and the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica. During her summer holidays, Mrs. Smith worked at various local law firms including Milligan-Whyte & Smith and Conyers, Dill & Pearman. And she spent the summer of 1996 employed by the Attorney General's Chambers.

During the ceremony, Mrs. Smith thanked her family and friends for helping her follow an "often long and rocky path''.

She will join the Attorney General's Chambers as a Crown counsel and plans to fulfil her job requirements with "diligence and integrity''.

Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Ross and Emancia Outerbridge and the new wife of Christopher Smith. Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux told both women that "passing your bar exams is only the beginning of your legal careers''.

BAR BELLES! -- Charmaine Outerbridge Smith, left, and Quinell Maria Binns joined the Bermuda Bar.