CODE 18-77
Miss Brooks
Legal Counsellor
CONFIDENTIAL
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Reference
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HONG KONG: LOCALISATION OF JUSTICE OF PEACE (JP) SYSTEM
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1. You may have seen a copy of Hong Kong telno 1034 which sets out HKG's proposal to amend article XIV of the Letters Patent and to make local provision for the Governor's power to appoint JPS. Their proposal also includes updating some aspects of the JP system, to which I can see no objection.
2.
HKG have asked for our views before they consult ExCo and the Chinese. Peking have commented in telno 522 that in theory the Chinese should have no objection to HKG's proposed adaptation of the JP system. In reality however the Chinese might object to such a British institution, despite its special Hong Kong characteristics.
3. I should be grateful for your comments.
Дина
Brena Williams
EL Williams
Hong Kong Department
WH 303
270 2652
14 April 1992
REGACX
CONFIDENTIAL