a Supreme Court ceremony attended by Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith.

Everard Barclay Simmons, 25, was described as "politically motivated'' by legal colleagues when he was sworn in.

And Progressive Labour Party MPs Dennis Lister and Paula Cox joined Ms Smith in adding their congratulations to the former head boy at Berkeley Institute.

Mr. Simmons, who achieved a 2:1 law degree from the University of Kent in England, was introduced to the court by his pupil master at Milligan-Whyte and Smith, Jan Woloniecki.

And Mr. Woloniecki joked his understudy had proved so adept at corporate finance law that he had already moved into his desk and hung his certificates on the office walls.

Mr. Simmons, who also attended Paget Primary and Saltus Grammar schools, had already been called to the Bar of England and Wales after learning his trade with a London barrister.

And Puisne Judge Norma Wade Miller accepted the application to admit Mr.

Simmons to the Bermuda Bar after references in court from colleagues at Milligan-Whyte Smith and Larry Mussenden, from the Attorney General's Chambers.

Mr. Mussenden said he had been friends with Mr. Simmons since their time together at the University of Kent.

And he joked that the new Bar member, who often voiced left-wing political views, now found himself at home in the world of corporate finance and reinsurance law.

Mr. Simmons thanked his family, friends and colleagues, as well as Mrs. Wade Miller who had known him "since way back when''.

Turning to the judge, he added: "You have known me since I first said I wanted to be a judge -- but didn't even realise you had to be a lawyer first.'' BEST BAR NONE -- Lawyer Barclay Simmons, called to the Bar last week, poses proudly with sister Allayne, father Everard and mother Edna.