Royal Gazette can reveal.

Carlisle Greaves -- who currently sits as a Magistrate in Bridgetown, Barbados -- will take over Mrs. Mapp's old job within the next few weeks on a three-year contract.

It is understood there were several applicants for the $80,000-plus job -- but no Bermudians.

And top lawyers yesterday warned the low number of Bermudians on the bench was reaching crisis proportions.

One said: "It's probably at that point already -- I think you will find that most of the time people who are applying for these posts are not Bermudian.'' He added the main reason was probably the lack of cash on offer -- which he warned could not compete with private practice.

And he warned that Bermuda's reputation as as an international business centre could be threatened unless top-quality judges could be recruited.

He said: "It's a fair conclusion to draw that there has to be a reason and there can only be one reason.'' The insider added: "I think the general view of the legal profession is if someone in private practice is taking a position as a Magistrate or even a judge, it means they're not doing very well in private practice.

"And that tends to the conclusion that the quality of the judiciary isn't that great.

"But you need to have a judiciary which is excellent if you want to be a successful jurisdiction.

"A question a lot of clients ask before coming here is whether, if something goes wrong, you can rely on the judiciary.'' But he added: "Sometimes you're lucky and you can attract someone from abroad who is very good, has had a distinguished career and perhaps want to spend a couple of years in the sun.'' And he said: "To be fair, the sort of problem Bermuda is facing is a problem anywhere in the world.'' A Magistrate earns, according to Government advertisements, between $81,798 and $88,684.

Public Service Commission director Judith Hall-Bean declined to discuss the origin or number of applicants.

But she said: "The job was advertised locally according to our rules -- if we have qualified Bermudians, we appoint them.'' She added: "We recruit all overseas Magistrates on three-year contracts.'' And the move means that Magistrate Arthur Hodgson -- due to quit next month to fight a seat for the Opposition Progressive Labour Party -- is also likely to be replaced by an overseas replacement.

Mr. Greaves could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

A clerk at the Bridgetown Magistrates' Court said Mr. Greaves had already left his job.

COURTS CTS