golf cart accident at Port Royal, is suing the trustees of the Government-run course.

Mr. James' lawyer Sen. Wendell Hollis filed the writ last month in the Supreme Court.

Yesterday he said he expected the case to come before the court toward the end of the year or early next year.

Mr. James, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, was playing on the Southampton course in July, 1991 with his brother Philip, his uncle -- well-known cricketer Mr. El James, and Mr. Kevin Swan, when the axle on his cart snapped, causing his vehicle to roll on top of him from a steep hill on the first hole.

The 34-year-old contractor suffered a broken tibia, dislocated knee and torn tendons.

He underwent two operations and was out of work and immobile for 10 months.

Mr. Hollis yesterday confirmed Mr. James would be suing for damages. But, he said, it was hard to give a figure because Mr. James was still receiving medical treatment.

Mr. James' accident was one of two mishaps that occurred around the same time at the course involving motorised golf carts.

Lifeguard Mr. Huw Morris, who died last October of natural causes, suffered spinal injuries when he fell from a cart a few days after Mr. James' accident.

The two men ended up side by side in the Perry Ward of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

But course manager Mr. Max Atherden stressed then that the buggies, used by hundreds of visitors and locals each week, were not unsafe.

He said all carts underwent regular maintenance checks, described the broken axle as a "freak accident'' and said he believed the incident involving Mr.

Morris occurred after he strayed from the designated cart paths.

Mr. Morris was believed to have admitted responsibility for his injuries, which landed him in the hospital for several days.

But Mr. James sought legal advice promptly. "All carts are checked and serviced on a regular basis,'' Mr. Atherden said shortly after the incidents.

"But it's impossible to pick up something like a cracked axle.

"The same thing could have happened with any vehicle. It was completely out of the blue.'' When contacted yesterday, Mr. Atherden referred The Royal Gazette to the trustees' lawyer Mr. Stephen Hankey.

Mr. Hankey said his clients preferred not to comment for now because their defence had not yet been filed.

"Proceedings are in the early stages and my clients believe it would not be appropriate to comment now,'' he said. "But I can say it (the suit) will be vigorously defended.''