and longest-serving Chief Justice of this century.

At a retirement dinner at the Southampton Princess, with a guest list which read like Who's Who of Bermuda, the Chief Justice, the Hon. Sir James Astwood was described as "the most distinguished Bermudian public servant of our time''.

A trailblazer, a legal pragmatist, a man of outstanding integrity, and a role model were among the phrases used by those who worked with the Chief Justice.

Governor Lord Waddington led the accolades by crediting the Chief Justice for "restoring confidence in Bermuda's judicial system'' after he returned from serving some 17 years in the legal profession in Jamaica in 1974.

Sir James worked as a magistrate before becoming Solicitor General in 1976 and taking up his post on the Supreme Court bench in 1977.

"Largely due to him, Bermuda now has a reputation that is an example for other countries to follow,'' Lord Waddington said.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan echoed similar sentiments. "I remember the turmoil that Magistrates' Courts were in,'' he said. "But you demonstrated very quickly that you had a firm, fair hand and moved the courts to the level that they are today.

"You have brought a level of honesty and integrity to our courts, particularly when we know from time to time we used a heavy hand in putting out legislation. But you used discretion.'' On a lighter note, Sir John pointed out that the Chief Justice was the only high court judge he knew in the world who travelled to work on a motorcycle.

The night also could not pass without someone taking a pot-shot at the Chief Justice's love for golf. And the first person to do so was Lord Waddington who noted that the only time the Chief Justice let himself down was when he lost to former US President George Bush on the golf course.

While Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade did not poke fun at the Chief Justice's golf game, he said: "Sir James was always a superb player in court.

"He could charm a jury into an acquittal or frighten them into a conviction,'' Mr. Wade recalled of the times when he was a young lawyer and came up against the Chief Justice as the Solicitor General.

"I was a recipient of some tongue lashing and a recipient of some of Solomon's wisdom,'' he said.

"For a young, black aspiring lawyer you provided for us an example. You showed us that the job can be done and the colour of the man does not matter.

Thank you for being Bermuda's Chief Justice for everybody.'' Cabinet Secretary Mr. Leo Mills, who was emcee for the night, in a Freudian slip, called the Chief Justice -- "St. James''.

"I regard Sir James as a second father,'' he said. "He has been a very demanding task master. But he knows what he's doing and knows how to get the best out of people and he does so with care.'' Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward, who has known the Chief Justice since 1974, described him as "a legal pragmatist who had no time to waste with foolish arguments''.

But, he added, the Chief Justice encouraged those who worked with him to reach beyond their limited grasp.

Chief Justice of Jamaica, the Rt. Hon. Edward Zacca, who has known the Chief Justice even longer, said Jamaica's loss was Bermuda's gain.

"He is a man of the highest integrity and has served his country with integrity and dedication.'' Mr. Zacca, whose visit to the Island came as a surprise to the Chief Justice, also urged lawyers to preserve those traditions that make Bermuda an envied country.

But he stressed: "The proper administration of justice can only be maintained by a strong Bar and an independent judiciary.'' Written tributes from those who could not attend the dinner, including the Chief Justice's son David who was recently called to the Bermuda Bar and is working in Hong Kong, were also read out.

In turn, the Chief Justice, who officially retires this week, thanked his family, staff, lawyers, and "those in Jamaica'' whom he noted, "trained me and gave me the opportunity at a time when I could not get it at home in my own country''.

SIR JAMES ASTWOOD -- officially retires as Bermuda's Chief Justice this week.