2.
a quite reasonable basis in that it recognises the special position of the "local Bar" judge but does not put him at an advantage over his brother judges nor does it put the judges as a whole on a superannuation code which in the final analysis can offend the Government Service at large. The key to it all is that the "local Bar" judge can get a reasonable pension, the normal judge is in no less favourable a position and all the judges and the rest of the Government Service have the same maximum pension of two-thirds of highest pensionable pay.
4.
I appreciate that we (and no doubt you) are handicapped by the absence of any views of the Hong Kong Government as to what might be the minimum pension, pension earning rate and likely maximum earned pension for a "local Bar" judge and that all of us, including the Hong Kong Government, are probably in the DARK as to what is necessary to induce a member of the local Bar to become
a judge. Be that as it may we still take the view that the West Indian scheme is the best available to provide a reasonable catalyst for discussion with the Hong Kong Government.
5. I hope that this reply is of help and that we can come to an agreed line as to what we might advocate to Hong Kong.
Yous sincerely
J L West.
Well