Bermuda's legal community is drawing an increasing number of talent from Hong Kong -- with two more such lawyers called to the Bar recently.

Their call follows the announcement last month that Scots-born Hong Kong Q.C.

Denis Mitchell was set to become a Puisne Judge in the Supreme Court and a handful of other lawyers now working in Bermuda.

Appleby, Spurling & Kempe partner Peter Bubenzer introduced David Surmon, of LOM Capital Limited, and Hugh Gillespie of Appleby Spurling & Kempe to the Supreme Court.

Mr. Bubenzer praised both for their extensive international experience which he said would be invaluable here.

The two were part of a "growing group who have worked in Hong Kong and are now members of the Bermuda Bar'' a few of which attended the ceremony.

By coincidence the two Canadian lawyers were college buddies in the early 1980s when they attended the University of Western Ontario -- a year apart.

Mr. Bubenzer said after college Mr. Gillespie completed his Masters of Law at the University of Cambridge in Britain -- because of his "love for the law and a reputed fondness for British beer''.

He returned to Toronto with law firm Smith Lyons before he was asked to relocate to Hong Kong to join an associated firm where he spent eight years -- also serving as Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong chairman.

Mr. Gillespie thanked his wife and two daughters, who he said agreed to move to Bermuda late in 1996 on the strength of a five-minute video he shot from his taxi window on the way back to the Airport.

He also thanked the Appleby, Spurling & Kempe staff, his aunt and his parents -- who attended.

He said local boardroom lawyers were second to none in their integrity, professionalism and competence which complemented Bermuda's "good government, competent bar and impartial and effective judiciary''.

Mr. Bubenzer said after college Mr. Surmon returned to Alberta for a stint before Australia's charms drew him to Sydney where he practised law and completed a Master of Business Administration Degree.

Hong Kong was next on Mr. Surmon's agenda where he applied his legal and financial background as Secretary to the Takeovers & Mergers Panel for three years before moving back to Canada with wife Lisa.

There Toronto law firm Smith Lyons retained him as a securities law consultant for their Hong Kong office in association with Fred Can & Co, which led to projects involving Bermuda.

Mr. Surmon vowed to contribute to Bermuda and the Bar then thanked his parents, his friends, and his "wonderful wife Lisa'' for their support.

HONG KONG EXPRESS -- Newly admitted corporate lawyers Hugh Gillespie (left) and David Surmon bring global experience to Bermuda. Both arrived here a year ago directly from Hong Kong, the financial centre of the east.