The other hand, it is possible that their services may be required, and if it is possible also that the training required by the Ordinance is of such a character as to exclude the really objectionable class. Are questions which Local Experience is required to solve. For the present, I shall take no step respecting the Ordinance, but allow it to take effect without confirmation: expecting to receive a further report of its operation before the end of next year.
To the Right Honorable Henry Labouchere M.P. Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies
The humble Petition of the Hongkong Law Society
Sheweth
That your Petitioners comprehend the whole of the practising Attorneys, Solicitors, and Proctors of the Colony of Hongkong
That by an Act passed in the sixth and seventh years of Her Majesty's reign, intituled "An Act for consolidating and Amending several of the Acts relating to Attornies and Solicitors practising in England and Wales", it was enacted that no person should be capable of being admitted as Attorney or Solicitor unless such person should have been bound by contract to serve as Clerk for the term of five years (by an Ordinance of this Colony in the case of Service, there reduced to three years) to a practising Attorney or Solicitor in England or Wales, and shall have duly served under such contract for the term of five years
That by the said Act it was further enacted that for the purpose of facilitating the enquiry touching the due service under such articles and the fitness and Capacity of any person to act as an Attorney, it should be lawful for the Judges of Her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench and Exchequer from time to time to nominate and appoint such persons to be Examiners as such Judges should think proper
That by the said Act it was further provided that every person applying to be admitted an Attorney or Solicitor should, before admission, take and subscribe the oath set forth in the said Act, in addition to the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy
That by an Ordinance (Number thirteenth of ...)