The Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, the Hon. Kathy L. Simmons, JP MP,  has today expressed condolences on the passing of Bermuda’s former Chief Justice, Sir Lisle Austin Ward. 

The Hon. Kathy L. Simmons said, "Sir Austin migrated to Bermuda from Barbados to pursue his legal career in Bermuda which spanned several decades.  His work included private practice, then rising through the judicial ranks as Magistrate, Registrar of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Solicitor General, Puisne Judge, and Chief Justice. Upon his retirement as Chief Justice in 2004, Sir Austin served as a Justice of Appeal on the Court of Appeal from 2004-2013.  Accolades of his contributions and stature were resolute and unmatched upon his retirement.

"In addition to having a distinguished career on the bench, Sir Austin had also served as acting Attorney-General in the 1990s. Colleagues at the Attorney-General’s Chambers, both past and present, remember Sir Austin Ward as a distinguished jurist, and a dedicated public servant. He adopted Bermuda as his home in a quiet and reserved manner, always observing the letter of the law.  

"He has left a legacy of fairness, integrity and had contributed invaluably to Bermuda’s jurisprudence.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Lady Francesca Ward and family."