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W(B)L 51-7406
some members of the Bar might prefer the
appointment of Sir Ivo Rigby but the abler
members of the Bar might even prefer to see the
appointment of the better lawyer. He appre-
ciated the claims of seniority but thought that
invariable attachment to seniority was
dangerous. Sir Ivo Rigby's confidential
reports had indicated since 1966 that he would
not be an ideal Chief Justice. It had to be
remembered that the appointment would be for
more than three years during which time the
public interest could suffer seriously from the
promotion of an unsuitable Chief Justice.
He
quoted from confidential reports on Sir Ivo
Rigby pointing out how observations which implied
criticism on a number of important counts had
built up to the outright statement in the 1969
report that "he was probably better suited to a
Court of Appeal than to be the Chief Justice".
3. A Chief Justice needed to be a good judge
and at least a sound lawyer; a man of common
sense and good judgment; with at least
adequate powers of administration;
on
satisfactory terms with his colleagues and the
possessor of such personal qualities that he was
respected by both the profession and the public
In all these respects Sir Ivo Rigby had been
criticised. In law he concentrated on the
criminal side and showed less interest in civil
The balance of his judgment had been
called into question and his powers of
law.
administration criticised. His relations with
S'enve
colleagues had been uneven and it was doubtful
profession
whether the public really respected him.
On the other hand the reports on Mr. Blair-Kerr
/ were