Shadow Justice Minister and lawyer Mark Pettingill last night threw his weight behind the reappointment of Chief Justice Richard Ground.

Former Premier Alex Scott had claimed that to overlook Bermudian judges in favour of Mr. Justice Ground was an embarrassing backward step — but Mr. Pettingill insisted the only embarrassing thing was Mr. Scott's comment.

The Chief Justice, whose contract has been extended for another three years, won praise from Mr. Pettingill for making improvements to Bermuda's legal system and his experience and fairness.

"I thought that Alex Scott was way off base, and he was not taking into account that the Chief Justice of this country has support from the Bar and the majority of lawyers I know. He has nothing but praise and respect from his fellow judges," Mr. Pettingill told The Royal Gazette.

"He has over the last few years improved our justice system from the working of the court; the scheduling; the timetable for hearings is far better; he's an outstanding judge himself; he's created a strong Supreme Court bench.

"We have a man like that who's come into our jurisdiction — we need to be offering him thanks for the outstanding job he's done. He's made a tremendous contribution.

"Unfortunately, on his reappointment the first thing you hear, coming from a PLP backbencher is that it's embarrassing. The word embarrassing is embarrassing."

Mr. Scott, who as Progressive Labour Party Premier objected to Mr. Justice Ground's appointment ahead of local judge Norma Wade-Miller in 2003, said former Governor Sir John Vereker had intimated a Bermudian would be installed at the end of Mr. Justice Ground's initial contract.

He said to delay the move until 2012 would be close the window of opportunity for three years.

Mr. Pettingill said there were a number of well qualified Bermudian judges who are not currently as experienced as Mr. Justice Ground but may be ready to step up to the plate in 2012.

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