to exploit shorter legal training.

New laws to slash post-qualification training for solicitors in Bermuda from two years to a year were passed in the Senate.

But Opposition Senate leader Sen. Alex Scott expressed concern about the reaction of UK lawyers faced with two years' training.

"It would make Bermuda very attractive. It could see a movement towards Bermuda,'' he said.

Government Senate leader the Hon. Michael Winfield , however, sought to allay fears. He said Bermuda's immigration laws would resist any pressure from the UK.

Senators yesterday unanimously passed the Supreme Court Amendment Act 1991 and the Bermuda Bar Amendment Act 1992.

As well as affecting solicitors, the acts would also increase post-qualification training for barristers from six months to a year.

Sen. Winfield explained the professions of barristers and solicitors were fused in Bermuda -- unlike the UK.

"Their functions here are different, and the changes have been recommended by the Bermuda Bar Council.'' Post-qualification training involved "pupillage'' with senior attorneys, he explained.

Sen. Scott, while accepting the changes, suggested there were far more pressing concerns about would-be Bermudian lawyers studying in the UK.

He said their exam pass rate, about 20 percent, was dramatically lower than the 75 percent achieved by their British counterparts.

"That should certainly concern us here. Maybe we should examine the possibility of having an exam in the UK which is marked here.'' He added: "We certainly know that the students with a British connection have an advantage.'' Sen. Scott also believed foreign students in Britain were being forced to sign declarations they would not practice in England.

He went on to urge Government to provide cash help for students returning for training in Bermuda.

Sen. Wendell Hollis (UBP), himself a lawyer, said Bermudians were among the top students in the UK, with the best exam pass rates. And he added: "I can envisage no situation where it would be appropriate for a foreign national to do his pupillage in Bermuda.'' Sen. Ira Philip (PLP) said aspiring Bermudian lawyers encountered great difficulties in achieving their ambitions.

"Many have been taken through all sorts of gyrations. It has been said that the most exclusive closed shop in the world is the British Bar Council, and the next most exclusive closed shop is the Bermuda Bar Council.'' Sen. Jerome Dill (UBP), also a lawyer, said the new legislation would allow would-be barristers and solicitors to train on a "level playing field.''