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J.W. Bourne, Esq., CB
13th November, 1978.
(b) Hong Kong would pay the salaries, pension
contributions, passages, etc. of two judges.
(c) The judges would remain on the English High Court list, but be seconded for a specified period (say two years) during which they would serve in the High Court in Hong Kong and live there.
(d) At the end of their secondment to Hong Kong
they would return to the English High Court Bench, being replaced by other English High Court judges.
Such an arrangement would, I believe, have the effect of raising the standard of the judiciary in Hong Kong to a level which an oversees territory cannot hope to attain from its own resources.
Furthermore, as a growing centre of international finance and commerce, Hong Kong badly needs judges with substantial commercial, shipping and handling experience.
M ny members of the English High Court have had experience of Hong Kong ither as counsel
ither as counsel or as visitors. I believe that it should not prove to be too difficult to find volunteers for secondment on the lines proposed since their careers would be safeguarded.
I hope that you would be able to give sympathetic consideration to this scheme. Please let me know if you would care to discuss it further and I should be delighted to come and see you.
Da/KC
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