Mr Rushford
Sir Vincent Evans
CONFIDENTIAL
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(1972)
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APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE, HONG KONG
1. As you know the informal approval of Her Majesty The Queen
has been obtained for the appointment of Mr Denys Roberts as
Chief Justice, Hong Kong in succession to Sir Ivo Rigby.
Subsequently, however, we have received the Governor, Hong
Kong's telegram No 11 which proposes that Mr Roberts should be
made Colonial Secretary and that Mr Justice Briggs should be
appointed as Chief Justice.
2. Sir Murray MacLehose originally put forward his proposals
in his despatch of 4 August 1972. He then concluded that the
best candidate was Mr Roberts and the second best Mr Justice
Briggs.
Subsequently the names mentioned in the Governor's
despatch as well as other outside candidates were discussed at
Sir Duncan Watson's meeting on 5 September. The Governor once
again recorded his support for Mr Roberts (his letter of
20 September) and Mr Rushford subsequently agreed (his minute of 5 October). We submitted to the Secretary of State
accordingly (my submission of 8 November) and The Queen approved
the appointment.
3. The possibility of substituting Mr Justice Briggs for
Mr Roberts was discussed at Sir Duncan Watson's meeting on
9 January at which Mr Rushford was present. It was agreed that
I would submit the papers to you for your consideration. Apart
from Mr Roberts the candidates remain the same and there is the
CONFIDENTIAL
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