70th birthday.

It is thought he may become an Appeal Court judge once a vacancy arises.

Speculation was rife yesterday over a possible successor to Sir James, who has been Chief Justice for 15 years.

Among those tipped are Attorney General Mr. Walter Maddocks, Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice (Austin) Ward, and lawyer Mr. Saul Froomkin.

Others thought to be in the running are lawyer Mr. John Ellison, Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs. Justice Wade, and barrister Mrs. Patricia Dangor.

Overtures are understood to have been made already to former acting magistrate Mrs. Dangor, daughter of Bermuda's first Premier, the late Sir Edward Richards.

The former Berkeley Institute student, currently in Reading, England, married a plasma physicist who lectures at London University's Imperial College.

Sir James announced his decision to retire on Monday night at a private Christmas party he held for local VIPs. It is mandatory for Chief Justices to quit on their 70th birthday.

Under Bermuda's constitution, a successor is appointed by the Governor after consultation with the Premier, who has first conferred with the Opposition leader. The choice is rubber-stamped by Britain's Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd.

As well as experience, age is likely to be a factor in the decision as no one over 66 can be appointed. A Bermudian would also be favoured.

Although a successor is likely to be found by October, there is no constitutional obligation to do so.

One local lawyer, who did not wish to be named, sifted through his own provisional shortlist of candidates -- Mr. Maddocks, Mr. Justice Ward, and Mr.

Froomkin.

He said age could count against 62-year-old Mr. Maddocks, Attorney General for around two years. "It would also create the problem of finding another Attorney General,'' he pointed out.

"Mr. Justice Ward has the experience, but he has had a number of decisions overturned on appeal, and this could go against him.'' The lawyer favoured on balance former Attorney General Mr. Saul Froomkin, 57.

"He is the right age, and has the expertise to do a good job,'' he said.

Mr. Ellison, a partner with Conyers, Dill and Pearman, said he was unaware that his name had been mentioned in the speculation.

Asked how he would react to an offer for the post, he replied: "I don't know.

I would need notice to think about it.''