LG. 3/393/1.
13 July, 1970.
4
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INN OF COURT IN HONG KONG
Further to my conversation with you on Friday evening concerning the proposal by the Government of Hong Kong to establish an Inn of Court in Hong Kong, I enclose a copy of a Saving Despatch from the Governor to the Secretary of State.
It seems to Rushford and myself that it is somewhat pretentious to establish an Inn of Court by Royal Charter, to be known as "The Queen's Inn" for a Bar which consists of some 40 members, and is not likely to increase much more. We would, however, like your views as to whether the Government of Hong Kong should be encouraged or discouraged as regards their proposal. If the desire is that jurisdiction over the admission or conduct of barristers should be vested in members of the profession instead of as now in the Chief Justice, there is no reason why a professional association should not be established by local legislation as has been done, I understand, in other territories.
N.E. Leigh, Esq., C.V.0.,
Privy Council Office, Whitehall,
S.W.1.
(8ir A. Grattan-Bellew)