Three lawyers have joined the Attorney General's chambers — meaning the office is now almost up to full strength. Bermudian Maryellen Goodwin, Canadian Gregory Howard and Brit Huw Shepheard were introduced at a press conference yesterday.

AG Philip Perinchief described the trio as the "newest, brightest, legal minds" and said their recruitment would "have an immediate and positive impact on the efficient progress of legislation, litigation and advice on behalf of the Government".

Ms Goodwin, from Smith's, is a former Department of Environmental Protection compliance officer and reporter at The Royal Gazette. Mr. Howard, from Prince Edward Island, has some 17 years experience in public and private law and Welshman Mr. Shepheard has been a barrister for 25 years.

The new appointments take the number of lawyers currently work in the AG's Chambers up to 12. There are two vacancies: Solicitor General and Senior Crown counsel.

The AG has also employed three law students this summer who will have jobs waiting for them at his Chambers once they complete their studies overseas.

The students are 23-year-old Paul Wilson, from Hamilton Parish; Lauren Francis, 33, from Devonshire, and Tawana Tannock, 32, from Devonshire.

Senator Perinchief said: "The commitment of this Government to Bermudianisation remains strong and this effort will go a long way in developing positive steps in that direction."