Above: the appointment ceremony (Photo: Bermuda Gov)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Bermuda has appointed Ian Kawaley as the island’s new Chief Justice.

Justice Kawaley signed his instruments of appointment in a ceremony last week with Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

Kawaley was formerly a Bermuda Puisne Judge before his new appointment.

“Bermuda is a special jurisdiction for me — not just because I was born here, but Bermuda is one of the most respected legal jurisdictions in the Atlantic region,” he said. “This occasion is not really about me — it’s about the judicial and legal system of Bermuda and the duty of justice to be fair to all people who come before the courts.”

The signing ceremony was attended by Premier and Minister of Finance Paula Cox, along with former Chief Justice Sir James Astwood and retired Chief Justice Sir Richard Ground.

Kawaley said the choice of a career in the law came from his family.

“My father encouraged me to do law when I was clueless about what to do with my life,” he said.