The office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions is the technical office which deals with processes of Mutual Legal Assistance in
Criminal  Matters under the delegation of the Attorney General.
These processes involved are provided for in the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (cap 8:04) of the Laws of Malawi.
Mutual Legal Assistance to other countries outside of the commonwealth is determined by Bilateral and International Agreements.
These guidelines also encompass the tenets of the SADC Protocol on Mutual Assistance
in Criminal Matters (2002).

The Drafting Section is a department within the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and it has its offices at the Ministry’s Headquarters at Capital Hill in Lilongwe. It is headed by the Chief Legislative Counsel (CLC) who is appointed  by the President. The CLC is assisted by the Assistant Chief Legislative Counsel, Legislative Counsel,  Assistant Legislative Counsel of various grades.

Objectives and Core Functions

The specific objectives and core functions of the Drafting Section are to-

• Provide drafting services to Government ministries and departments.

The Human Rights Section in the Ministry of Justice was set up to coordinate human rights issues. The Section is responsible for state party reporting to United Nations treaty bodies and African Union human rights  system. The Section also coordinates human rights issues on behalf of the Ministry by working hand in hand with other Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and civil society organizations. 

Attorney General is the principal law officer   of the government and is appointed by the President. The Attorney General may be a Minister responsible for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.  The current Attorney General is a public officer. If the Attorney General is a public officer, he or she may serve a term of five years, unless he or she resigns, retires or until the expiry of the President’s term of office, whichever comes sooner.