Reference
Sir J McPetrie (Legal Adviser)
You will remember the letter I wrote to the Colonial Secretary Hong Kong last November about appointments to the Bench from the Bar.
2.
We have now received the Governor's Saving Despatch No Staff 32 with the draft of a Circular the Hong Kong Government wish to issue. My first reaction is that the approach outlined in Mr Wilford's letter to the Governor of 19 September 1969 (drafted by you) is much better than the Hong Kong approach with its reference to "general principles" However, the Hong Kong draft has presumably been accepted by the Attorney General and the heads of the other "Legal Departments" as well as by the Chief Justice and the Establishment authorities. I propose therefore, if you agree, to consult the ODA first to see what they think.
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3. I agree with Mr Kinnear that the first sentence of paragraph 6 of the draft might, with advantage, be
omitted. It does rather invite representations and could lead us into difficulties,
4.
You will see that since you wrote to Sir Michael Hogan in July 1969 sombody has been able to establish that there has never yet been an appointment from the Bar in Hong Kong.
22 March 1971
EMaria
E ́O Laird
Hong Kong Department