Director of Public Prosecutions Office: Towards an Improvement of Allocations
The Pay Research Bureau proposes a series of measures to enhance the attractiveness and retention of staff at the DPP office. These include maintaining and increasing allowances, introducing new allocations, and reorganizing key positions to support an independent institution that guarantees effective criminal service.
In its report, the Pay Research Bureau (PRB) foresees improvements in the allocations granted to staff at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office under certain conditions, while retaining existing allowances. The report also mentions maintaining the ‘Special Legal Service Allowance’ and implementing a ‘Human Resource Planning Exercise’, among other measures.
During consultations with the DPP office management, several proposals were made, including maintaining existing allowances with an upward revision, as well as introducing new allocations and benefits for Law Officers. These requests were examined in light of a study on recruitment and retention challenges within the office.
The DPP
The PRB was informed that the DPP had been proposed for a nomination as Puisne Judge. However, due to responsibilities within the DPP office, he was not released from his duties and remained in his position.
Given this exceptional situation and with the approval of the High-Powered Committee (HPC), the current DPP received retirement benefits accorded to a Puisne Judge. Therefore, the PRB recommends that the DPP in office as of December 31, 2025, may personally, and with HPC approval, benefit from the same retirement advantages.
Recommendations
- Granting retirement benefits of a Puisne Judge.
- Payment of a monthly housing allowance of Rs 12,650, despite the provisions regarding the ‘Pensionable Value of Rent Allowance’ outlined in the report.
- Applying the same private practice restrictions to the officeholder as those imposed on judicial members.
- Amendments to existing legislation are necessary for these recommendations to be implemented.
The Senior Officers of the DPP Office
The High-Powered Committee (HPC) reviewed requests from officers proposed for nomination as Puisne Judge but chose to remain within the DPP office. These requests were rejected, as the HPC found no valid reasons justifying their retention in the office, as this decision was a personal career choice.
Moreover, the PRB had previously recommended that the DPP office management implement human resource strategies to address retention issues. This provision is currently under reassessment.
Recommendation
- Only in exceptional cases will officers proposed for a nomination as Puisne Judge but not released from their DPP duties be eligible for a ‘pensionable allowance.’
Special Legal Service Allowance
In its previous report, the PRB confirmed the payment of the ‘Special Legal Service Allowance’, both personally and in case of promotion within their respective framework. Facing attrition issues at the DPP office, management requested not only the maintenance of this allowance but also an upward revision.
In light of the investigation into recruitment and retention difficulties in the public sector, the PRB recommends, in this report, to continue paying the ‘Special Legal Service Allowance’ to Judicial and Legal Officers at the DPP office until the next revision exercise.
Recommendations:
- Starting January 1, 2026, and until the next revision, Judicial and Legal Officers should receive a monthly ‘Special Legal Service Allowance’.
- State Counsels and State Attorneys with at least 10 years of experience: 7% of their salary.
- Principal State Counsels, Principal State Attorneys, Assistant DPP, Senior Assistant DPP, Chief State Attorney, among others: 10% of their salary.
- Deputy DPP and DPP with less than 10 years of experience: 15% of their salary.
- DPP with more than 10 years of experience but less than 30 years of service: 20% of their salary.
- DPP with more than 30 years of service: 30% of their salary.
Judicial and Legal Allowance
Judicial and Legal Officers currently receive an annual allowance meant to cover certain expenses related to their profession. The management of the DPP office requested a revision of the amount due to rising clothing costs.
- The payment of the allowance is maintained but the amount has been revised.
Recommendations
- Officer designated by the DPP: Rs 27,500
- State Counsel and higher: Rs 25,300
- Legal Support Officer cadre officers: Rs 10,670
Salary Scale
- DPP: Rs 222,000
- Deputy DPP: Rs 190,000
- Chief State Attorney and Senior Assistant-DPP: Rs 162,000
- Assistant DPP and Deputy Chief State Attorney: Rs 150,000
Courts Across the Island in Reduced Mode but Active
Judicial staff are not actually on vacation during this festive period. While hearings are less frequent, activities continue at a steady pace, albeit with reduced service as the year comes to a close.
Schedules of Various Courts
Similar to the Intermediate Criminal Court, Intermediate Civil Court, Industrial Court, Financial Crimes Division (FCD), and the district courts of Port-Louis, operations will proceed normally during these last two weeks, even in the Supreme Court, which is in vacation mode. On December 24 and 31, 2025, there will be reduced staffing in the offices in the afternoon.
However, in district courts, an officer must be present in case a provisional charge is filed or when the police executes an arrest warrant. It is also possible that some individuals may prefer to settle their outstanding fines at the end of the year. A magistrate is also on duty on these two dates. The same scenario applies in the Intermediate Court.
December 24, 2025
- Offices will be open from 9 AM to noon
- Reduced staff from 1:15 PM to 3 PM
December 31, 2025
- Offices open at 9 AM
- Full staff until noon
- Reduced staff until 3 PM
The Cashier
The cashier, during this festive period, will also be subject to changes. Normally, three cashiers operate at the New Court House from 9 AM to 2:30 PM. However, on December 24 and 31, 2025, staff will be reduced. The cashiers in various judicial instances will be closed on public holidays, specifically January 1 and 2, 2026. Normal operations will resume on January 3, 2026.
December 24, 2025
- Three cashiers from 9 AM to noon
- One cashier from 12:45 PM to 2:30 PM
December 31, 2025
- Three cashiers from 9 AM to noon
- One cashier from 12:45 PM to 2:30 PM
