downplay.

Sir John's son and estate executor Mr. William Cox, three grandsons, one granddaughter, and one daughter-in-law are listed as plaintiffs in the court action. The two other executors -- son Mr. Harry Cox, and Sir John's widow, Lady Joan Maitland Cox, are listed as defendants.

Sir John died in 1990, leaving an estate with a probate value of nearly $17 million. A partner in Pearman Watlington & Co. Ltd. and a director of many of Bermuda's largest companies, he was an MP for Devonshire and Speaker of the House for nearly 20 years.

The writ was filed last week by Cox & Wilkinson, the law firm which Mr.

William Cox founded, and where he now serves as a consultant.

Mr. William Cox, who in a 1991 book lamented the treatment he received in his father's will, said the dispute was not related to that.

Despite the way the writ was worded at the Registrar's office, Mr. William Cox said he was a defendant in an action "brought ... against me without consulting me.

"It is an administrative action, because there is a dispute as to how the estate should be administered,'' he said. "I regret that the estate has been brought into the court.'' In the book, Vex Not His Ghost, Mr. Cox said his father left most of his estate to son Harry and the family of son Michael, who predeceased him.

"He gave nothing to charity and to Hilda Mello who gave unstinted loyalty and devotion to him and the family for over 50 years he gave a legacy of $15,000.

"To me he left some items in (his Devonshire residence) The Grove including several pieces which I had made and given to him and mother as presents and some $750,000 worth of bank shares and a one-third interest in a ... trust he established for the benefit of his widow.'' In the will, Sir John said that he left his son Mr. William Cox the properties Rose Cottage, Belair, and Clovelly during his lifetime, and "for those reasons I have specifically not dealt with my said son to any greater extent than that expressed in this my said will.'' Despite the huge size of his estate, Sir John divided his possessions with intricate detail. For instance, he left his widow "the framed photograph in colour of me standing by the south window of the east sitting room.'' To his daughter-in-law Mrs. Margaret Anthea Cox he left "the ivory chess set (pieces being white and red) presently in the display cabinet on the south wall of the fan room.'' Mr. Harry Cox told The Royal Gazette the court action was "procedural,'' and "nothing very important''.

"It looks like one side is proceeding against the other, and that's not the case at all,'' Mr. Cox said. "I know it's phrased that way.'' Executors were "seeking the guidance of the court with respect to executors' duties,'' he said. "It's unfortunate it's worded that way. I was told there was no other way.'' In his will, dated October 6, 1989, Sir John left Mr. Harry Cox 110,000 of his shares in Pearman Watlington & Co. Ltd., and Hawkins Island in the Great Sound.

A trust holding his remaining shares in Pearman Watlington was established to provide for his daughter-in-law Mrs. Margaret Anthea Cox for seven years, after which the shares were to be divided among her four children. Her three sons, along with Mr. Harry Cox, were named the trustees.

A trust which included shares in Thomas Miles & Co. Ltd. and Pembroke Stores Ltd., was established to pay $60,000 a year to his widow, until her death or remarriage.

Having left his primary residence The Grove to Mr. Harry Cox during his lifetime, Sir John said that his widow Lady Joan could continue to live there for a maximum of six months after his death.

To Mr. William Cox he left 11,000 shares in each of the two major banks, 10,000 Belco shares, and 2,000 shares in Bermuda Press (Holdings) Co. Ltd.

Large numbers of shares in several companies were left to his grandchildren.

To grandchildren Mr. John William Cox, Mr. Henry James Cox, Mr. Donald Christopher Cox, and Mrs. Susannah Ellen Halliday he left North Devon Flats apartments, and the homes Firefly, Milner House, and Bankside Cottage, all in Devonshire.

To his daughter-in-law Mrs. Margaret Anthea Cox and his son Mr. Harry Cox he left parcels of land on the north side of Parsons Road near Orange Valley Road in Devonshire.

The late Sir John Cox.