A judge has dumped a hi-tech court transcription firm for poor performance, it has emerged.

And Puisne Judge Norma Wade Miller has halted a civil case until a new note-taking company can be drafted in.

Lawyers involved in the contractual dispute yesterday said the move highlighted the urgent need for the Island's courts to get a full-time court reporting system.

It is understood the firm -- hired by agreement between the lawyers on both sides -- was unable to deliver a full transcript of the first day's proceedings by the second day using a tape system.

Mello, Jones & Martin's Saul Froomkin, representing two plaintiffs against Bermuda-based telecommunications firm Flag Ltd, said: "We all agreed that they weren't able, for technical reasons, to do the job.

And he added: "I have been pressing for a court reporting system for 20 years.'' He said the trial could have lasted double the time -- with double the costs -- without a transcription service.

Mr. Froomkin added: "That's why all the parties agreed to have a transcription in the first place.'' Appleby, Spurling and Kempe's Arabella di Iorio, representing Flag, said: "As I understand it, it was technical difficulties with the equipment which caused the problem.

"But it does highlight the desperate need for a proper court reporting system in Bermuda as soon as possible.'' The case -- a contractual dispute involving Flag Ltd and two ex-employees from overseas -- was being covered by transcription firm brought in from Canada on a contract basis by Bermuda's Advanced Computer Reports Ltd.

The case, scheduled to last around two weeks, was adjourned on Wednesday until Monday to allow time to find a fresh set of transcription experts.

The case is now expected to finish several days behind schedule as an overseas firm will have to be brought in.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: "There were technical difficulties which were reported to the court.

"Everybody agreed that because they were having technical difficulties that they would not continue to serve the court.'' And she insisted: "It wasn't anything acrimonious -- it was a very business-like decision.'' Earlier this month, Government revealed it was to review several reporting systems and evaluate them for use in Island courts.

The Management Services Division of Terry Lister's Ministry of Development and Opportunity said that six to eight design proposals would be looked at by a special committee, including representatives of the Bermuda Bar Association and the courts.

A spokesman for the MSD said then that -- depending on the system chosen -- a full-time system could be up and running within "three or four months.'' In May, a petition signed by 70 percent of Island lawyers was presented to the House of Assembly by Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons. Bermuda Bar Association chairman Richard Hector -- who handed the petition to Dr. Gibbons -- said that Bermuda's courts were "in the dark ages.'' And he warned that the Island faced losing out on major court cases and future business because of doubts over the efficiency of the legal system.

Mr. Lister later pledged funds of up to $350,000 for a court reporting system.