Sir Edward Zacca, a former President of the Court of Appeal, made an “unparalleled contribution to the development of law in the Overseas Territories”, the court heard yesterday.

Sir Christopher Clarke, the President of the Court of Appeal, opened tributes to Sir Edward, who died on November 11 aged 88, at a special sitting in his honour.

He said: “Sir Edward was a star in our firmament. We may not look upon his like again.”

Sir Edward, from St Andrew in Jamaica, served on the Bermuda Court of Appeal for 18 years until he retired in 2014.

The former Chief Justice of Jamaica’s roles included service on the Privy Council, as well as the Courts of Appeal in the Turks & Caicos Islands, the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.

Elizabeth Christopher, the president of the Bermuda Bar Association, said Sir Edward’s long service in Bermuda had left “a formidable body of work”.

Ms Christopher said: “He spoke strongly, but always with a twinkle in his eye.”

Nicole Smith, the Acting Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions, said Sir Edward made “enormous contributions from the time he was appointed Justice of Appeal until he retired as president”.

Ms Smith said: “There is a multitude of judgments that bear his name, and that give us guidance on facets of law.

“He had the ability to get to the core issues, using his wry smile and as little words as possible.”

She added: “Sir Edward will live on through his jurisprudence and impact on Bermuda for many years to come.”