A hi-tech UK note-taking system used in the OJ Simpson trial is being used in a major fraud trial which started yesterday in Supreme Court.

The Livenote system -- which takes a stenographer's notes, converts it into text and displays the results on a screen within seconds -- has been brought in for the case against former Bank of Bermuda executive Arnold Todd.

Todd, 56, faces a total of 17 charges of theft, fraud and false accounting.

Co-accused Varnel Curtis, Milton Woods and Cecil Durham, all 61, face other charges related to the allegations against Todd.

The offences, involving hundreds of thousands of dollars, are alleged to have taken place between August, 1985 and February, 1990.

The note-taking system, never before used in Bermuda, was used in the California trial of former football star OJ Simpson last year.

Teresa Iovine, who works for the Philadelphia-based subsidiary of English firm Smith Barnal, said the staff being used in the Bermuda trial had worked on the OJ Simpson case.

She said: "It gives judges, barristers and solicitors the ability to participate in what the court reporters are doing.

"Text will appear on the screens two to three seconds after the spoken word from witnesses or participants. It minimises the need for normal note-taking throughout the day.'' The system -- which costs up to $1,870 a day with the team -- will cost the Crown around $56,000 over the minimum six weeks the trial is expected to run.

Yesterday, a massive legal presence swamped Supreme Court for the trial, being heard before Mr. Justice Richard Ground.

The prosecution is being led by English barrister Michael Pert QC, assisted by James Candlin.

Arnold is defended by English barrister John Perry QC and Kim White. Curtis is represented by Delroy Duncan and Juan Wolffe, while Woods is defended by Richard Hector QC and Mark Pettingill. Julian Hall acts for Durham.

The trial began yesterday morning, with much of the day being taken up with legal arguments.

Potential jurors from the panel of 42 were given special questionnaires to fill in overnight -- before the 12 jurors are selected.

The trial was further delayed because lawyer Julian Hall, due to fly to the Island from Canada on Monday night, was held up because flights were disrupted by bad weather.

The court heard Mr. Hall wants to submit his own legal arguments to Mr.

Justice Ground before the jury is sworn in. The trial continues today.