A veteran prosecutor who served as Director of Public Prosecutions in Belize and helped to build up the prosecution service in Serbia has been appointed Bermuda's new Director of Public Prosecutions.

Governor Sir John Vereker said today that Rory Field would take up his appointment in late August. Mr. Field replaces Vinette Graham-Allen as DPP.

A statement from Government House said Mr. Field was selected unanimously by a selection panel from more than 50 applicants.

The panel consisted of Deputy Governor Mark Capes, Chief Justice Richard Ground, Head of the Civil Service Kenneth Dill, Deputy Commissioner of Police Roseanda Young, Assistant Cabinet Secretary Judith Hall-Bean and Legal Consultant and former Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Kulandra Ratneser.

Mr. Field, a British citizen, has a wide range of experience as a prosecutor in the UK and overseas, the statement said. He has worked in various jurisdictions, including Belize where he served as Director of Public Prosecutions from 1999 - 2001. More recently Mr Field worked as legal adviser on organised crime for the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe). This included a focus on reform of the criminal justice system and capacity building in the prosecution service in Serbia where he was primary adviser to the Serbian Chief Prosecutor.

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