Fri | May 3, 2024

Gov’t files appeal in constitutional ruling against Paula Llewellyn

Published:Tuesday | April 23, 2024 | 1:42 PM
The matter is to be heard in the Court of Appeal.

The Government has filed an appeal to challenge the court ruling against the tenure of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn.

The Ministry of Justice made the announcement in a media release this afternoon.

The Constitutional Court on Friday ruled that an amendment to the Constitution last year giving Llewellyn the power to elect to remain on the job was null and void and of no legal effect.

Llewellyn stepped away on Sunday citing “ambiguity" over the court ruling.

As a result, senior deputy DPP Claudette Thompson was yesterday appointed to act in the role.

The justice ministry says its appeal aims to resolve the issues highlighted by the court.

“The appeal argues for a harmonisation of the retirement provisions, maintaining the intended retirement benefits for all affected public officers as per sections 2 (2) for the DPP and 3 (2) for the Auditor General, in alignment with the Constitution."

It says the Government remains committed to ensuring that statutory and constitutional amendments serve the intended purposes without ambiguity or disadvantage to any public officer.

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