Hector warned yesterday.

And the Queen's Counsel pledged to fight to bring the courts and legal framework up-to-date as fast as possible with accurate court reporting and taped interviews of suspects by Police.

But new Bar Council chief Mr. Hector backed the retention of legal traditions like wigs and gowns -- under attack in the UK.

And he also promised to make the Bar Council more approachable to the public over complaints about lawyers -- and boost its role as pressure group for the profession.

Mr. Hector, a 35-year veteran of the Bar, was Bermuda's first Crown counsel and is a former Senior Magistrate.

He was speaking in his first interview since being appointed president of the Bermuda Bar Council.

Mr. Hector told The Royal Gazette a proper court reporting system would save a fortune in court costs. "It's a matter of common knowledge and consideration that we're considered to be living in the dark ages as far as court reporting is concerned,'' he said.

"A good court reporting system would mean a great deal of savings in time and money and would speed up the proper administration of justice, as compared to having magistrates and justices writing everything in longhand.'' Mr. Hector said: "I'm very pleased to learn that the present Government is very much in favour of this.

"All I would like to do is ask that the new Government puts its money where its mouth is. I intend doing all I can to see this is put into operation.'' Mr. Hector added that "a great deal of court time'' is wasted in criminal trials by defendants who claim confessions were forced out them "through fear or promises''.

And he called on Government to introduce UK-style legislation to allow the taping of Police interviews with suspects to be used as evidence. He said: "These things must come to the fore. It's really necessary that these things be done and I can't say why we couldn't give them priority.'' Mr. Hector admitted many members of the public were not aware of the Bar Council's role -- and that lawyers often suffered from a poor image.

But he said: "I would like the Council to be more proactive than reactive so we can gain the confidence of the public in streamlining the system of justice and help the good reputation of lawyers.

"And we'd like to continue to address many of the concerns of the public regarding lawyers and their practice.

"We want to encourage people who may feel they need to have certain matters dealing with lawyers addressed to come forward and approach us instead of remaining on the sidelines and complaining.'' But the innovator in the machinery of justice admitted he backed the retention of tradition in the courts -- like wigs and gowns and the distinction between barristers robes and the silk of QCs.

Mr. Hector said: "I think we're a fairly conservative community here -- there are a number of people who think we should retain the trappings of wigs and gowns.

"My own personal view is that they should be retained. They add dignity to the profession and some order. It looks good and tends to engender a certain amount of respect for the system of justice.

"We don't want to have people in awe of the law, but it does help create respect. There are, of course, a number of people who feel the other way.'' He added that overseas QCs came to Bermuda because they offered a high degree of expertise in their fields and had been recognised for their learning.

Mr. Hector said: "It's an honour bestowed upon you and I don't think people should take that lightly.''