been revealed.

And the current Senior Magistrate Will Francis, with ten years experience on the bench will become an acting magistrate the day after his 69th birthday.

This must leave Edward King, the next most experienced magistrate with several years on the bench, smarting as Mr. Warner only joined the court a year ago.

It is the third extension of Mr. Francis' tenure, and yesterday he said he was willing to continue to be a magistrate "for as long as the government and chief justice want me''.

It is likely that Mr. Francis will handle most of the coroner's inquests and civil trials in the Court three.

As Senior Magistrate, Mr. Warner will chair Liquor Licensing Authority meetings, Coroner's Juries for the most serious cases, and many civil trials, and the centre piece of the court's day, the morning plea court session.

It is expected that reforms of the administration of the courts, particularly its diary system are in order for the new top magistrate.

Mr. Warner joined the bench in January 1999 after a heart attack in 1997.

He took the magistrates' job after a hectic career as first prosecutor then top defence lawyer.

Fellow Barbadian, Magistrate King will continue in court two. Both men are naturalised Bermudians.