There is to be a review of the policy in the Attorney General's Department that allowed some lawyers who did work for government agencies to benefit from the legal fees charged.

There have been reports from government and legal circles that this is one of the main contentions in the department.

A lawyer in the department disclosed that, since the new Government took office in September last year, lawyers have been informed by Government officials that the policy would be reviewed and it was likely they would no longer benefit.

The Gleaner has been told that the policy existed in the department for several years. It allowed the lawyers to charge fees for work done for Government agencies and companies. Sometime in 2001, the policy was put in writing and it stated that 20 per cent of the fees should go to the training of staff in the Attorney General's Department. The remaining 80 per cent was routed through the ministry's payroll for statutory deductions to be made before the lawyers collected their share.

The Government lawyer said the policy existed even when Dr Kenneth Rattray was Solicitor General.

Debate

Controversy has now arisen in the department as to whether such fees charged should be paid to the lawyers in the department who did the work or be put into the consolidated fund.

Since Wednesday, The Gleaner has made several calls to the office of Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

Representatives at the office said she was not in office and the calls have not been returned.

However, sources close to the Attorney General's Department continue to insist that all is not well.