Mr. Mottley will stand down after two-and-a-half years as one of the top law officers in the Country.

Barbados-born Mr. Mottley confirmed yesterday: "My contract ended in January and I was holding on until the end of June.'' Mr. Mottley, 57, added that he had "very much'' enjoyed his time in Bermuda, but declined to comment further until closer to his quitting date.

But The Royal Gazette understands that the $117,000-a-year job, which comes with a house, is far less than Mr. Mottley could command in private practice.

Mr. Mottley said: "I'm not prepared to comment on that at all.'' But he is believed to be planning a return to his private practice in his native Barbados.

It is thought to be unlikely that a Bermudian will take up the post.

One legal source said: "I can't think of anyone competent who would be prepared to take the job at the salary they are offering.'' The appointment of an Attorney General is in the hands of Governor Thorold Masefield.

Deputy Governor Peter Willis said: "We will be looking for a replacement and we would be delighted if Bermudians applied.

"We will consult locally and, failing that, we will look abroad. It's at an early stage and the search has not started.'' Yesterday another legal source singled out several Island names as ideal candidates to replace Mr. Mottley -- including QC Michael Mello, Geoffrey Bell and Ian Kawaley -- but agreed the deal on offer was not attractive to successful lawyers in private practice.

The source said of Mr. Mottley: "As an advocate in court he is very good -- that's where his real gift is. He is very economical and every word is worth listening to.'' But the source pointed out that the role of Attorney General also involves being chief administrator of the Chambers, as well as legal advisor to Government.

But while he was a strong advocate, there were criticisms during his tenure of the overall quality of the chambers, which suffered from under-staffing on both the criminal and civil sides until recently.

Mr. Mottley -- a QC and former Barbados Labour Party MP -- was appointed to the job in late 1994 and sworn in January the following year.

It is understood he beat out local lawyers Robin McMillan, a former Crown Counsel and ex-Solicitor General Barrie Meade, who had been acting in the post since August, 1994, after previous Attorney General Walter Maddocks took early retirement.

Mr. Mottley -- described by ex-Attorney General Saul Froomkin as "a first class lawyer'' when he was appointed -- was trained in England.

He was president of the Barbados Bar Association from 1980 to 1983 and headed the Organisation of Caribbean Bar Associations from 1980 to 1993.

Elliot Mottley Graphic file name: MOETERS