to a sophisticated industrial society. Most
of the bench were former prosecuting counsel
with little experience of complicated civil
work.
Lord Gardiner wondered whether I
would think it right to discuss with the
former Chief Justice the possibility of a
committee of enquiry to be appointed by
myself or by you.
de
3. On the alleged defects of the district
court, Jackson-Lipkin asserted that the
backlog in this court was twice that in the
Supreme court and cases generally took
longer. Eddis said that contrary to the
Attorney General's note it was, in his
experience,never the case that District
court judges gave judgement at the end of
contested cases, while in the Supreme court
the judge had of course to sum up for the
jury. Jackson-Lipkin disagreed with those
unnamed who thought the purpose of new
arrangement was to secure more convictions.
But he thought it was a panic measure
designed with the ani-crime campaign, which
was equally misconceived and had failed, to
show that something was being done. If
there was a sudden increase in cases for
trial, there was already provision for
commissioners. The absence of shorthand
writers in the district courts was a grave
handicap, it was not true that they were not
available. It was a question of money.
Apart from questions of substantial justice,
trials without a jury left Chinese accused
(17832) DU3820053134m (77/sorts) 1/68_G,W.H,Ltd,Op.##3
/wilh
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