Commercial litigator Kiernan Bell has been elected the new president of the Bermuda Bar Association.

The Appleby partner replaced Rod Attride-Stirling as president at the association's annual general meeting last Thursday.

Former vice president Ms Bell has been an elected member of the Bar Council — the association's governing body — since 2000.

She was called to the Bar of England Wales in 1993 and the Bermuda Bar in 1994.

A commercial litigator, her practice specialities include professional negligence, shareholder disputes, corporate governance, insurance and reinsurance.

Delroy Duncan was elected vice president and Justin Williams was made honorary secretary.

Other lawyers on the Bar Council are Harry Kessaram, Karen Williams-Smith, Richard Horseman, Christian Luthi, Barclay Simmons and Elizabeth Christopher. Mr. Attride-Stirling served as president for two years.

He said: "The practice has evolved that the president does not stand for election for more than two consecutive years.

"The role is very time consuming and it is difficult to do this for a longer period, given that it is a part-time role.

"So my retirement was consistent with the existing practice. I was elected twice and did not stand again this year."