worsening a staffing crisis.

Crown Counsel Ms Sharon Kenny, a Canadian, will leave on March 11 after four years. She is the office's white-collar crime specialist.

She will join local defence lawyer Mr. Tim Marshall in private practice.

Attorney General Mr. Walter Maddocks is now hoping to attract four replacement lawyers, following a spate of recent departures.

Irish Crown Counsel Mr. Diarmuid Doorly left before Christmas after completing about half of his contract.

Crown legal adviser Ms Deborah Blakeney, a Bermudian, has resigned to take a post with the private sector.

And Parliamentary Counsel and longtime contract worker Mr. Vincent Meerabux is on loan to the Supreme Court as an acting Puisne Judge, where he could be made permanent.

Mr. Maddocks has described the series of losses as a coincidence. He said he received Ms Kenny's notice yesterday morning.

"She is leaving. I had known for some time. Obviously it's going to be a big loss to us because she's a very fine prosecutor and a nice person to have in chambers.

"We're already short-handed and this will make it a little more difficult.

"In a small chambers like this, any member of staff leaving causes a big gap.

"We're advertising overseas and locally and we hope to fill these positions as quickly as we can.'' One of the four posts was only being advertised in Bermuda, Mr. Maddocks said, in accordance with the Public Service Commission.

The Attorney General hopes to fill vacancies with Bermudians if possible. He sees a challenge in attracting Bermudians with sufficient experience who are not happier working in the private sector.

In June, Cabinet scrapped a requirement for lawyers to have five years experience before becoming Crown Counsels.

This was seen as an important step towards Bermudianising the Attorney General's office.

Crown Counsels from abroad are normally hired on three year contracts.

Ms Kenny is one of four Crown Counsels, of which one is Bermudian.