of Attorney General which has been unfilled for more than two months.

The rejection of the acting Attorney General has left Bermuda's legal fraternity puzzled over who will be selected for the post.

It is understood a special selection committee appointed to find a new AG has conducted extensive searches here and abroad.

Several Bermudian lawyers at leading local law firms are understood to be contenders for the post, including Mr. Geoffrey Bell, Mr. John Cooper, former Crown counsel Mr. Robin McMillan, Mr. John Ellison, Mr. Alan Dunch and Mr.

Richard Hector.

Mr. Meade announced he had not been named to the post at a meeting of Attorney General's Chambers staff on late Friday afternoon, legal sources said.

The Bermudian lawyer has been serving as acting Attorney General since July 31 when Mr. Maddocks retired early.

It is understood Deputy Governor Mr. Peter Willis, who heads the selection committee, may announce its decision this week. Also on the committee are Chief Justice the Hon. Austin Ward, Cabinet Secretary Mr. Leo Mills and lawyer Mrs. Elizabeth Jones.