HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION
3. -
The Rt. Hon. Sir Alec Douglas-Home
25th January, 1973
of the Judiciary is not lagging behind the surge of progress in Hong Kong.
The increase in both criminal and civil cases in the Supreme Court during the three years of Office of the Chief Justice can easily be seen from the increase of all cases in the Supreme Court in 1969 of 3823 cases to 6052 in 1972. In the Magistracies there was an increase of 19% of cases heard in 1972 over 1969.
During his tenure of office, of just over three years, the Chief Justice has won the respect of both branches of the legal profession.
In the view of the two branches of the legal profession in the Colony, a term of three years as Chief Justice is inadequate to allow the implementation of reforms in the administration of Justice by a Chief Justice.
The undersigned, as heads of the branches of the legal profession in Hong Kong respectfully urge that the term of office of the present Chief Justice be extended by a further term of two years. The undersigned are not unaware of the provisions of the Royal Instructions but it is felt that this is not a matter of insurmountable difficulty should you, Mr Secretary, accede to this urgent request by the legal profession in Hong Kong.
The undersigned wish to make it clear that, at least for the time being, the legal profession is not, advocating that the retiring age of the Pulsne Judges in Hong Kong be increased to the age of 65.
Copies of this letter are being sent to His Excellency the Governor and the Honourable the Attorney-General.
Your mos
We remaın, Sir,
bedient servants
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(GERALD DE BASTO, Q.C.)
Chairman, Hong Kong Bar Association.
(HENRY LITTON .C.)
Immediate-Past Chairman, Hong Kong Bar Association.
GdeB/sb.
(B.S. MCELNEY)
President, Law Society of Hong Kong.