The Judicial Training Institute of Bermuda (JTI) announced yesterday that Sir Christopher Pitchers, a retired UK High Court judge, will visit Bermuda to train members of the legal fraternity on the new Police and Criminal Evidence Act 2006 (PACE) legislation.

Chairman of the JTI, justice Norma Wade-Miller described PACE as one of the most significant revisions to Bermuda law in many years. The first phase came into effect on September 8 and the act covers areas ranging from searching suspects and property to how to conduct audio and video interviews.

"Sir Christopher will be designing and delivering the programme to educate us on this new statutory regime," she explained.

The two-day workshop for Judges, Magistrates, Acting Judges, members of the DPP's office and the Police, will take place at the Hamilton Princess Hotel on October 21 and 22.

Mrs. Justice Wade-Miller said that both the judiciary and Police have already undergone a detailed in-house review of the different acts, codes and schedules relating to PACE, and are familiar with plans to implement it in phases.

The JTI workshop will include lectures on hearsay evidence, an introduction to the codes of practice, convictions and confessions and a discussion of trial management problems.