Lawyer Shade Subair is tipped to be the new chairman of the Human Rights Commission.

Her new role is expected to be made public on Friday, when the annual list of appointments to government boards and statutory bodies is published.

She will replace Venous Memari, also an attorney, who was appointed HRC chairman at the start of 2007.

A source told The Royal Gazette that other new commissioners were likely to be PLP activist and Worker's Voice editor LaVerne Furbert and pastor Carlton Crockwell.

Ms Subair, who recently set up Mussenden Subair Barristers & Attorneys with former Attorney General Larry Mussenden, would not confirm or deny the appointment yesterday.

Wayne Carey, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, said: "All nominations for the Human Rights Commission, as well as other government boards, are with Cabinet Office and we have not been informed whether any nominations have been approved.

"All appointments to Government boards will be announced publicly via the Official Gazette."

Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque said: "It is intended that appointments to Government boards and other statutory bodies is gazetted in the Official Gazette on Friday, January 8."

Ms Subair was called to the Bar in Bermuda in October 2001 and served as a Crown prosecutor before being appointed the Island's first ever legal aid counsel in August 2004.

She has served in recent years as a magistrate and defence lawyer.