time prosecuting cases in court in future, attorney general Mr. Walter Maddocks said yesterday.

Mr. Maddocks, who plans to reduce the size of the Attorney General's chambers in the next year or two by one or two lawyers, said he is reversing the practice of former Attorney General Mr. Saul Froomkin of having lawyers actively investigate cases.

"The plan is to make the chambers one or two lawyers smaller,'' he said. "I have changed the procedure from when my predecessor was here.

"He was an extraordinarily good criminal lawyer who was heavily involved with the investigation of criminal offences. I take the view that is not the way I want my Chambers to operate.

"I have discussed this with the Commissioner of Police that the Police should investigate complaints and when the file is complete, present it to the Attorney General's chambers for prosecution.'' He said the chambers would continue to give advice on legal points to the Police but would also spend more time in court, thus reducing the need for all the Crown Counsels.

No date has been set for a reduction in the size of the chambers, he said.

And he also said a replacement for former Crown counsel Mr. Archibald Warner was scheduled to start work on June 1.

Applicants to replace Mr. Robin McMillan, who left the chambers last month, are now being screened by the Public Service Commission.

The Attorney General's chambers has nine lawyers, including the attorney general himself. The other members of the chambers are the solicitor general, the chief parliamentary counsel, a parliamentary counsel, a senior Crown counsel and four Crown counsels.

In addition, there are three legal advisors, two to the registrar of companies and one to the Environment Minister.

According to the 1992-93 Budget estimate, two posts -- one Crown counsel and one Crown counsel for economic crime -- have been eliminated this year.