cocaine importer Clifton Hopeton Morrison.

Ms Pearman's Juris Law Chambers has filed a constitutional challenge against prosecutors via a writ in the Supreme Court in a bid to avoid a fourth trial for Morrison.

The writ reads:"In the matter of the Bermuda Constitution Order 1968'' with Morrison as the plaintiff and the Director of Public Prosecutions as respondent.

Morrison, 39, of St. Ann's Parish, Jamaica, has been in custody since he was arrested on February 6, 1999.

Five months later he was convicted by a jury and sentenced to 12 years in prison for importing $300,000 worth of liquid cocaine in rum bottles.

But he conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal which ruled that Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller had misdirected the jury.

A March 2000 retrial was abandoned when a juror was excused and an attempt to start afresh later that month fell through when not enough jurors could be found.

Last month there was several days of extensive legal argument before the scheduled start of the fourth trial.

Morrison reappeared at this month's arraignment session and his case was set down for yet another mention date with a view to set a trial date.

His re-appearance suggests an unsuccessful attempt by Ms Pearman to have the case thrown out.

Ms Pearman refused to comment when contacted yesterday about the case and writ and both she and prosecutors are presumed to be under a gag order.

Since his arrest Morrison has made more than two dozen "mention'' appearances in the Supreme Court.

CABINET HOLDS DAY-LONG RETREAT CON GVT Cabinet holds day-long retreat Premier Jennifer Smith said Government will be "taking forward a number of initiatives'' after a day-long Cabinet retreat yesterday.

Ministers and Civil Service executives discussed how to "lead effective change'' with consultants from Franklin Covey, a private executive training firm.

Ms Smith said yesterday: "As a result of today's deliberations, we will be taking forward a number of initiatives, including more strategic planning, cross-Ministry collaboration and prioritisation.

"Today's dialogue has been extremely useful. This retreat, the second to be held by this Government, has certainly generated a greater understanding between Ministers and Senior Civil Servants of the Government's objectives.

"We have had a lively exchange on ways in which we can better work together to lead the change that the people expect of us and that Bermuda needs.

"I continue to be impressed by the dedication and commitment of the Bermuda Civil Service.

"Today has moved us even further along the road to a common vision of Government's goals and it renewed our enthusiasm for the role of change in achieving a better Government.'' Stanley Oliver, Head of the Civil Service, said: "This year's retreat has been a great success.

"There was an honest and frank exchange between participants, which can only strengthen the communication channels in Government.

"The ultimate aim of our retreat is to improve Government systems to the benefit of all stakeholders, especially the public.''