HONG
HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION
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a number of practising barristers have been appointed as magistrates.) Sir James went on to say that there was at the moment nothing in law to preclude a member of the practising Bar from being appointed to the Supreme Court Bench, and he said (that is, in November, 1964) he would give further thought to the representations of the Bar Committee.
Since I saw you on the 9th August, 1967, I have heard nothing more concerning the representations referred to in my letter of the 26th September, 1968. These are matters which have, for many years, caused considerable concern to the Bar, and it is felt, you may think with some justification, that these merit very urgent attention.
The professional life of an active barrister is a very ardous one, especially in Hong Kong, and to attract suitable men to the profession and to maintain high standards, requires, as in England, the incentive of promotion to the Bench and other high legal posts. Barristers are expressly precluded from entering into partnerships and there comes a time when Counsel, especially very busy Counsel, wish to leave the arena and be avail- able for a position with security of tenure and pension. In England this is possible by the distinct prospect, at least for the more eminent barristers, of a judgeship, Chairman of the Quarter Sessions, etc.
Added to this, in Hong Kong, is the vague feeling of uncertainty. (I do not think I need elaborate on this particular aspect!)
These are all matters which cause the gravest concern to the more hard-pressed and eminent Counsel in Hong Kong. I note from the latest Staff List of the Hong Kong Government an increase of 100% in the number of Crown Counsel in the Legal Department alone between 1964 (26) and 1968 (52)! On the other hand, the active members of the practising Bar in Hong Kong is well under forty and has shown very little change since 1964. The proposed Department of Law at the University of Hong Kong is expected to start operating in October, 1969, and the first graduates are expected, we hope, by the end of 1973. However, it has been indicated to me that it is hoped a fair proportion of these will be absorbed by "government", particularly the Legal Department. As you Know, starting at the Bar is a fairly hazardous operation and it is envisaged that the ranks of Crown Counsel (that is, lawyers in the civil service) will be further enlarged when the University is
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