The newest addition to Bermuda's Department of Public Prosecutions is looking forward to working to prosecuting cases fairly, firmly and fearlessly.

Senior Crown counsel Lloyd Rayney, with more than 20 years experience under his belt, also aims to work closely with Police as charges against offenders are drawn up.

Mr. Rayney has been with the Western Australian DPP's office for ten years as deputy director, but has worked in a variety of roles as a prosecutor for two decades.

Referring to himself as a "career prosecutor", he said he had fought for the Crown in more than 300 Superior Court jury trials in Australia, Tasmania and the Christmas Islands.

After arriving at Bermuda's DPP's office earlier this month, he said he planned to have an open-door policy with Police when drawing up charges and hoped to establish good working relationships with officers.

"I want the Police to feel free to call us for whatever advice we can offer - day or night," said Mr. Rayney.

He is optimistic about making the transition from Western Australian law to legislation on the Island, and is looking forward to getting into cases - once, of course, he has been called to the Bermuda Bar.

"There are clear similarities in the criminal justice system to that in Western Australia and the Criminal Code is almost the same as what is used there," said the 41-year-old prosecutor.

"It will not be difficult to make the transition. And I have already found my colleagues in Bermuda at the DPP's officer very friendly and warm.

"I have fought for the Crown in four jurisdictions in Western Australia and have also covered cases in the Christmas Islands and in Tasmania.

"I have spent the last ten years working as second in charge of the Western Australia DPP office and had overseen the smooth running of the office.

"We had 120 staff, of whom 60 were lawyers. The nature of the work is similar to the work I did in Perth.

"The DPP's office here has a good solid foundation to build upon in the years to come."

But Mr. Rayney will be doing much more in Bermuda than just prosecuting cases. Part of his job description is to also provide some guidance and mentoring to the more junior prosecutors in the department.

And the lawyer said he became aware of the Island's need for more experienced prosecutors when he met former DPP Khamisi Tokunbo at a conference in Sydney in 2000.

However, he had also previously worked with the new acting DPP Kulendra Ratneser in Western Australia.

Mr. Rayney said: "Mr. Tokunbo had asked if I would be interested in working in Bermuda.

"A job was advertised and I applied for the post - I was interviewed here on the Island in November of last year."