Larry Mussenden has been appointed as the island’s new Chief Justice by Rena Lalgie, the Governor.

Mr Justice Mussenden, 60, a former senator as well as Director of Public Prosecutions, officially takes the role tomorrow.

He succeeds Narinder Hargun, who retired in December.

Ms Lalgie said: “I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Larry Mussenden as Bermuda’s next Chief Justice.

“Mr Mussenden is a highly regarded lawyer both within Bermuda and internationally.

“He has over 27 years of professional legal experience in public service and private practice, serving as Crown Counsel, Director of Public Prosecutions, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and most recently as a puisne judge.”

Mr Justice Mussenden’s background includes information technology, working with youth groups and service as a criminal defence lawyer.

He is a former president of the Bermuda Football Association.

He was admitted as a barrister in England and Wales in 1995 and in Bermuda a year later, having earned a law degree at the University of Kent in Canterbury and having studied at the Inns of Court School of Law in London.

He served as a Crown counsel in the Attorney-General’s Chambers in 1996, and then as a prosecutor in the DPP’s office.

Mr Justice Mussenden was appointed to the Senate in 2003.

He was appointed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and Government Senate Leader in the Progressive Labour Party government in January 2004.

He remained in the Senate until October 2006, when he also stepped down as Attorney-General.

Mr Justice Mussenden was DPP from 2016 to 2020.

Ms Lalgie praised the scope of his background for the presiding role over Bermuda’s courts.

She added: “I am confident that his legal expertise and leadership experience will serve the Supreme Court well, helping to maintain the island’s standing as a legal jurisdiction of the highest order.”

Last night, Scott Pearman, the Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, said: “The One Bermuda Alliance offers its congratulations to Chief Justice Mussenden on his appointment to lead our island’s court system.

“Bermuda is fortunate to have a talented judiciary at all levels. The elevation of Mr Justice Mussenden to become our next Bermudian Chief Justice will continue this tradition.

“It is important for Bermuda to maintain a strong and independent judicial system; the Chief Justice has our support to ensure this vital separation of powers and to promote the rule of law.”