legal figures line up to fill the position.

Will Francis revealed last week he will finally step down on his 67th birthday, March 2.

But Bermuda's Bar Council is already set to lobby against one potential candidate -- current magistrate Edward King.

The Royal Gazette understands several Magistrates' Court lawyers have pushed senior members of the Bar not to recommend Mr. King for the position.

It was not clear that Mr. King would even apply for the post last night and he was unavailable to comment on his plans. But he would be one of the figures in prime position to take over from Mr. Francis in the Magistrates' Court hotseat.

Mr. King, a Bermuda status Barbadian, courted controversy last month when lawyer Keren Lomas claimed he interrupted a hearing to tell her: "Shut your mouth woman!'' And Chief Justice Austin Ward quashed his conviction of one woman for a driving offence, after former Attorney General Saul Froomkin accused Mr. King of being "rude, aggressive, intemperate, intimidating and unfair''.

One lawyer said: "There is some concern among the lawyers who go into Magistrates' Court that he should not have the top post.'' It is believed some lawyers have already spoken to senior members of the Bar Council to express their fears.

But the Council has not adopted an official stance.

President Narinder Hargun said: "We are sometimes consulted by the Chief Justice and if and when we are, those consultations are private.'' He would not comment on who might be recommended.

And Mr. Francis, Senior Magistrate since October 1989, last week said he did not expect to be consulted over who might replace him.

"The Governor makes the final decision on the recommendation of the Chief Justice,'' he said.

"It's not up to me at all, who takes over. I think there would be a lot of good candidates and nobody should be ruled in or out at this stage.'' The Senior Magistrate's job was advertised last week, with a closing date of December 30.

The advert says applicants "must be trained lawyers having at least seven years' experience in court work and should possess demonstrated management skills''.

Candidates for the $95,000-a-year post will be considered by the Public Service Commission, who will co-ordinate interviews with the Chief Justice in the New Year.

A Commission spokeswoman said: "The appointment would be effective from March 3.'' Mr. Francis officially retired two years ago but agreed to sign a new two-year contract to stay in the post. He has already been offered several consultancy positions with private law firms.

But he said he would also consider any new role offered by Government.

"In my retirement, I don't just want to come home and do nothing,'' said Mr.

Francis, a former lawyer in the firm Richards, Francis and Francis.

"Being Senior Magistrate has been a great opportunity to serve the public and to see justice done and to assist in the process.

"I would also see all the problems of the Island coming before me but I tried to do all I could to alleviate them and to solve them.

"It can be stressful at times but it's been more exciting than stressful.'' COURTS CTS