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Mr Blau-Kerr's relations. with other offices and Sand tie good. Il- i> sepriter fut; "Through he becasionally ruffles sume feathers by framic Speaking,
he does not dis
withwl
is sant
justification an
15 hot. Given hi creating fuction.
9.
[por
7. (i) Influence with the Bench and the Bar:
Sir Ivo Rigby's relations with some
legal Circles)
Considerations Public Interest.
crno Craw eviherown
from the quarters. He who say thi
Sir Ivo has
a queath
degree Ipersonal Beuthnity than
Mr Blair-kerr
of his colleagues on the Bench "tend to be strained", it has been esid. It has been noted that both have been at times unpopular with the Bar, but for reasons which do them -no diserediths Sir Ivo's profession- al limitations are fairly well known in this restricted/circles and some personal opinions of him are thought to be not very high.
The Acting Governor (Sir Hugh Norman-Walker) has reported that in view of Sir Ivo Rigby's seniority, knighthood and strong personality there is "a settled and accepted expectation of his appointment, both inside and outside the courts" and that his supersession would
The cause disruption in the Judiciary
Governor endorses this assessment. Our
conclusion is that better leadership, because less likely to be questioned, can be expected from Sir Ivo Rigby who has in any event the greater degree of personal authority.]
llo
7.
One has therefore to consider whether the
seniority factor and the unsettling effect of passing
over Sir Ivo Rigby outweigh the superior professional
and in this qualifications of Mr. Blair-Kerr;
connection the Acting Governor's advice is that Sir Ivo
The and
H.K. telegram
No 884
has a sufficient knowledge of his own limitations an
mental acumen to ensure that they do not materially
impair his performance as Chief Justice if he is
three and a
half
years).
appointed. (He will reach retiring age in
The Governor on balance recommends the appointment
of Sir Ivo Rigby and the present Chief Justice concurs
in this. In the circumstances we support the
Governor's recommendation and accordingly advise
Sir Ivo's appointment.