THE THREE-MEMBER panel probing the administrative functions of the Offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions began its "preliminary work" yesterday.
The special panel consists of David Muirhead, Q.C., recently retired High Commis-sioner to the United Kingdom, as chairman, Beryl Singh, retired Chief Person-nel Officer of the Offices of the Ser-vices Commission and Novar McDonald, chairman of the Disputes Resolution Foundation.
On November 28, the Ministry of Justice announced that the Public Service Commission had ordered the probe.
Michael Cohen, Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Justice, said yesterday that "preliminary work" had started and that included sending out letters to persons who will be required to testify before the panel.
However, Mr. Cohen pointed out that the panel did not have the power to subpoena anyone. He said the panel did not have the power to make a ruling.
Some of the issues which the panel will have to consider include complaints by prosecutors that they have been acting in clear vacancies for more than a year; prosecutors being bypassed for promotion; the reason for the exodus of prosecutors from the Office of the DPP and the effect it has on the justice system.
The panel is expected to make findings on the evidence adduced before it and then make recommendations to the Public Service Commission.
