i
OOP Y.
Enclosure 3.
Minute by the Attorney-General.
Hon. Colonial Secretary,
148
23462
Rec TRE: 29 JUN 06
lt would be advantageous for the purpose of
Appeals if the Full Court consisted of three or more Judges,
instead of two as at present, but except as regards appeals the
appointment of an additional Judge does not seen to me to be
called for at present.
I do not think the volume of business in
the Supreme Court is greater than two Judges can dispose of
effectively and with expedition. The power which is conferred
ucon the Chief Justice by the Supreme Court Ordinance 1873
Section 23 enables His Honour to distribute the business fairly
between himself and the Puisne Judge. A well considered use of
this power should as heretofore lead to a mutually satisfactory
division of labour between the Judges, and prevent any disloca-
-tion of or delay in, and certainly any deadlock in, the trans-
-action of the business in the Court. I have not heard it suggest-
-ed by the profession that any delay or inconvenience is, or
has been, caused in the disposal of the business in the Court by
the want of an additional Judge: but if there be any doubt upon
that point the question might be put confidentially to leading
members of the profession.
(b) and (c): -
With respect to your minute paragraphs 5
(b). The public examination of a debtor under the
Bankruptcy Ordinance, 1891, need not be taken by a Judge if from
pressure of other work it is inconvenient for him to do so: for
under Section 17 (7) he may order the examination to be held by a
Commissioner