Former Chief Justice Ground honoured in special Supreme Court sitting

The life of the late former Chief Justice Sir Richard Ground was celebrated in a special sitting at the Supreme Court this afternoon.

Supreme Court One was filled to capacity with lawyers, judges, the Court of Appeal justices, family and friends. Sir Richard died last month and retired from his post in Bermuda in 2012.

Welcoming the audience, Chief Justice Ian Kawaley described Sir Richard as “an intellectual Usain Bolt”.

“He was, I think on any view, quite seriously one of the finest that has graced the Bermuda bench”, he added.

Mr Kawaley described Sir Richard as fair and impartial. He also lauded his accomplishments, particularly those made after he married his wife, Dace, whom he met in the Cayman Islands.

He was named QC and Attorney General in Cayman shortly after they married.

Mr Kawaley acknowledged that Sir Richard wasn’t his favourite judge when he was a lawyer. He said he admired him, but liked him “very little”.

“In my view, his contributions to Bermuda as Chief Justice were quite significant in terms of a modern approach to leadership. He wasn’t a colonial type of judge who was here to boss the natives around.

“He was democratic and collegial.”

President of the Court of Appeal, Edward Zacca said Sir Richard was a member of the Court of Appeal of Turks and Caicos, Cayman Island and Bermuda.

“He sat only once in the Cayman Islands but due to his illness, he wasn’t able to sit in Bermuda. We think he would have made a viable contribution.

“He was a gentleman. Sir Richard was a leader and he led from the front.

“We will miss him. If I had to describe Sir Richard in one word, I would say outstanding. We shall miss him.”

The Honourable Geoffrey Bell recalled Sir Richard’s successes in the commercial court, especially when dealing with complex matters.

“Sir Richard was always ready to share his own expertise even if he was busy on a case. He would find the time.

“I learned an enormous amount from Sir Richard.”

Attorney General Mark Pettingill spoke on an opportunity the defence bar had to praise Sir Richard Ground at the last arraignment session he did in October 2012.

“We were able to tell Sir Richard what we thought of him. I’m very pleased about that because I don’t think there is anything that was said on that occasion in person that won’t be echoed today.

“It’s so much better to be able to speak to someone and let them know how highly you think of them.

“I’m sure we are all very pleased that we had that opportunity to do it live.”

Mr Pettingill said he wishes Bermuda would have been able to see Sir Richard sit on the Court of Appeal panel. He also said when appearing in front of Sir Richard, you had to bring your “A game”.

Director of Public Prosecutions Rory Field referred to Sir Richard as a “renaissance man” because he was successful at law and was a nature photographer and author.

He also said it was “nice” to have a chief justice who could deal with all kinds of cases instead of something more specialised.

He added, “Bermuda was fortunate to have obtained the services of such a fair minded judge. I can only say how very sad I am not to have the opportunity to stand before him in the Court of Appeal.”