Mr Justice Ian Kawaley is to be the next Chief Justice, Governor Sir Richard Gozney announced this morning.In a statement he said: “As has long been publicly known, Chief Justice, Richard Ground, will be retiring on March 21, 2012.“I would like to pay a very warm tribute to the Chief Justice’s work over the last eight years. Since his arrival in 2004 he has worked tirelessly on the standing of Bermuda’s Supreme Court, and therefore the Island’s standing, as a legal jurisdiction, which is a central component to Bermuda’s success in reinsurance and other businesses.“He and his staff have worked hard to clear a backlog of cases which he inherited on his arrival. When he leaves next year the Supreme Court will be stronger, I believe, thanks to all the steps taken under his leadership.“There will be other opportunities for his colleagues and friends to laud and applaud the Chief Justice in his final 6 months in the job. I wish to start now by expressing my sincere gratitude to him for eight years of hard, honest work and straightforward, honest advice to Government House.“I convened an ad hoc judicial panel earlier this year to consider candidates for the position of Chief Justice. On the recommendation of the panel and after consultation with the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in accordance with the Constitution, I am pleased to announce that Mr Justice Ian Kawaley will be the next Chief Justice of Bermuda, from April 1, 2012.”