Sessions House.

The 19th-century site of the House of Assembly and Supreme Court is behind the times, the expert told a trial yesterday.

Mr. Thomas DeLilla, who uses a wheelchair following a diving accident, was giving evidence at a Supreme Court hearing.

He told the court of his journey to the Island from Tallahassee, Florida, where he runs a rehabilitation service for people with spinal injuries.

He said he was an experienced solo traveller, and Bermuda's Airport was one of very few terminals he had found without access links between planes and the arrivals building.

But he praised Airport staff, taxi-drivers and hotel workers for helping him get around.

Asked about getting to the hearing, he said he found the building bad for wheelchair users.

"It reminds me of south Georgia. It's a great place but it's not up-to-date as far as access. I was surprised it was as bad as it is.'' Most places in the States were better, except in New York, he said.

He was fortunate in having a strong cabbie willing to pull him up the steps, he added.

Mr. DeLilla was called as a witness for Bermudian building contractor Mr.

Aubrey Hollis.

In 1982 Mr. Hollis was the driver of a car which was in a crash with a rental bike.

The bike rider, Mr. Mark Coller, suffered paralysis in all four limbs and uses a wheelchair.

Now a 30-year-old federal attorney in Washington DC, he is claiming up to $10 million in compensation.

Mr. DeLilla gave evidence on the costs of medical supplies which Mr. Coller is claiming. He said he could get many of them cheaper.

English barrister Mr. Piers Ashworth QC, representing Mr. Hollis, questioned Mr. Coller on the household tasks done by his live-in helper.

Mr. Ashworth suggested Mr. Coller could buy combination polyester-cotton shirts that did not need ironing.

Mr. Coller said he liked cotton shirts, and even 65 percent cotton ones needed ironing.

Mr. Ashworth also suggested sleeve "guards'' would mean he wouldn't have to spend so much on dry-cleaning his jackets.

Mr. Coller said he wasn't aware of such a product.