A PANEL of foreign judges has been appointed to hear allegations of official misconduct against prime minister Sir Michael Somare, the ABC’s Liam Fox reports.

PNG's chief justice, Sir Salamo Injia, has appointed a Leadership Tribunal to hear allegations Sir Michael failed to lodge several years worth of annual returns.

In a statement Sir Salamo says the high office held by Sir Michael prompted him to appoint three eminent judges from outside the country.

Former Australian Federal Court Judge Roger Gyles will chair the tribunal. He will be joined by Sir Bruce Robertson from New Zealand and Sir Robin Auld from the United Kingdom.

Proceedings are due to begin on March 10. Sir Salamo says the tribunal will determine whether or not Sir Michael will be suspended from office during the hearings.