A ten-year veteran of the Court of Appeal was feted yesterday at a ceremony marking his retirement, where Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General, praised his fairness on the bench.

At a special sitting of the court, Ms Wilkerson congratulated Justice of Appeal Geoffrey Bell on behalf of the Bermuda Government.

She added: “This is a double congratulation for me. You will recall that I was first in your presence as a junior.”

Ms Wilkerson, who is also the Minister of Justice, recalled feeling nervous, and said: “Your kindness that day to me — I can’t tell you what it meant for a young lawyer.

“You shared your wisdom and your kindness. That’s something I have treasured for all my career.”

Shakira Dill-Francois, the Solicitor-General, said the Attorney-General’s Chambers was grateful for his service, and added: “This is not a goodbye but a fond farewell with best wishes for the future.”

Mr Justice Bell came to Bermuda from Britain in 1971.

He became a partner at the firm of Appleby, Spurling and Kempe, served as President of the Bar Association between 1981 and 1984, and was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court in 2005.

He was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2015.

Cindy Clarke, the Director of Public Prosecutions, recalled how Mr Justice Bell dealt with an unruly appellant and “very quickly put that person in his place” — then ruled in his favour.

Keith Robinson, of the Bermuda Bar Association, called him “rigorous, but very fair”, while Delroy Duncan, KC, said: “In the Court of Appeal, you have written judgments in some of the most complex cases that the court has had to consider.”

Lawyer Mark Diel told him: “You have led by example — you command, in fact demand, respect, and you give it in turn” while Mark Pettingill, of Chancery Legal, said: “Geoff was and is just a really cool guy — I say that with the greatest of respect.”

Audley Quallo, from the DPP office, told the gathering: “As much as I am sad to see him leave, it is a retirement that is well deserved”.

Larry Mussenden, the Chief Justice, said: “There are numerous cases and judgments that Justice Bell has been involved with over the decades of his service that will be there for our learning and enjoyment for years to come.”

Justice of Appeal Dame Elizabeth Gloster told Mr Justice Bell it had been “a delight to work with you as co-counsel”.

Sir Christopher Clarke, President of the Court of Appeal, praised his variety of judicial work, including major commercial cases — “the bigger, the better”.

Mr Justice Bell thanked those present, telling the ceremony the Court of Appeal would continue in “the good hands of my old adversary”, former Chief Justice Narinder Hargun, whose appointment was announced in September.

• Declaration of interest: Jonathan Bell is the son of Justice of Appeal Geoffrey Bell