RESTRICTED
()
aj
HK & C
4717
British High Commission
Bandar Seri Begawan
Brunei
lit
17/1
Litho mad
7611
370/1
RA Longmire Esq
South East Asian Dept
FCO
5 January 1978
FAR 3701
17
Dec. Bob. 20.
BRUNEI HIGH COURT
761,
1. It may be that because I am a member of the English Bar, that Isa and the attorney-General, both themselves Barristers, choose to interest me in the affairs of the Brunei High Court. As you know, this is in fact the services of the Hong Kong
And, at yesterday's High Court, obtained by Brunei re-payment. opening of the Brunei legal year, with Sir Geoffrey Briggs the Chief Justice of Hong Kong sitting as the Brunei Chief Justice, both Isa and the Attorney-General referred, in the warmest terms, to the great value which Brunei places upon our judicial help from Hong Kong.
12.
In the exceptional circumstances, approved in your telegram No. 217, I was, for the one occasion, present in Court at the barristers' table. Both Isa and the Attorney-General made use
At the of the occasion to speak in kindly personal terms. same time they both asked if I would note, "wearing my other hat", how much the help of the Hong Kong Supreme Court was appreciated by Brunei as it sought to maintain the highest possible standards in respect of the administration of justice.
3. While I obviously cannot begin to forecast what the upshot may be in the larger matters now at issue, might I still say how much I hope that the assistance of the Hong Kong Supreme
If there were will continue to be made available to Brunei. anything positive which I could pass on, I know it would certainly be reassuring to the legal world here.
Your
سبة
JA Davidson
Copy to: Sir Murray MacLehose GBE KCMG KCVO (Personal)
Hong Kong
1