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The government is appealing against the court’s ruling that the extended term of former DPP, Paula Llewellyn, is unconstitutional

The government is appealing against the court's ruling that the extended term of former DPP, Paula Llewellyn, is unconstitutional

The government has appealed a court ruling that the extended term of former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Llewellyn, is unconstitutional.

The ruling was made by the Constitutional Court last Friday, despite a constitutional amendment to adjust the retirement ages for the DPP and the Auditor General from 60 to 65.

The challenge to the extension was made in a lawsuit brought by Opposition Member of Parliament Phillip Paulwell and Senator Peter Bunting.

In a statement today, the Justice Ministry said the court upheld the constitutional amendments and confirmed the valid extension of the retirement age.

However, it ruled that this amendment did not apply to Ms Llewellyn as she had already reached the previous extended term of 63 years when the change to 65 years was made.

As a result, Attorney General Delroy Chuck said the government has appealed to the Court of Appeal in an attempt to resolve what she described as an inconsistency.