CODE
18-77
Mr Monk NID
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FUTURE OF HONG KONG : VARIOUS LEGAL ISSUES
Reference..
I attach a copy of a minute and enclosure which I received from Mr Edwards, who is the Legal Adviser dealing with Hong Kong department.
1.
2.
You will see that he has asked me to minute to NTD on the question of arrangements after 1997 between the UK and Hong Kong on civil law and civil procedure problems, in particular on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments. Clearly this is primarily a matter for Lord Chancellor's Department, and I should be grateful if you could write to David Gladwell (or whoever is responsible for these matters) asking him whether LCD have given any thought to the question of recognition and enforcement of Hong Kong and UK judgments after 1997. If no thought has been given to the matter, then we would be grateful for his views on how this should best be advanced.
3.
My attached minute to Mr Edwards sets out my understanding of the present position of Hong Kong vis-a-vis States which were parties to bilateral Conventions with the UK, which have now been superceded by the European Convention on jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments. As you will see, this is clearly not an easy issue, and it would be helpful to get Lord Chancellor's Department moving on it as soon as possible.
26 June 1989
cc Mr Edwards, Legal Advisers
Mr Wood, HKD Mr Paul, AKD
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Iain MacLeod Legal Advisers K166 270 3066