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WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1994
THIS EVALUATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE TWO BRANCHES OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION. IF THE MEASURES ARE NOT EFFECTIVE, THE
ADMINISTRATION WILL CONSIDER INTRODUCING CRIMINAL SANCTIONS.
"WE ARE RESOLVED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF TOUTS, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, MR FINDLAY SAID.
THE BILL WAS PASSED.
GOVT TO DISCUSS APPOINTMENT OF SOLICITORS AS TEMPORARY JUDGES
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THE LAW SOCIETY'S PROPOSAL TO APPOINT SOLICITORS AS TEMPORARY JUDGES OF THE HIGH COURT FOR SPECIFIC PERIODS.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JAMES FINDLAY, WHEN HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED SECOND READING DEBATE OF THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A FORMAL SYSTEM OF APPOINTING EXPERIENCED BARRISTERS AS RECORDERS OF THE HIGH COURT, WHO WILL SIT AS TEMPORARY JUDGES FOR SPECIFIC PERIODS.
UNDER THE BILL, A PERSON IS ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT IF HE IS A QUALIFIED BARRISTER AND HAS PRACTISED FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS AS A BARRISTER OR SOLICITOR.
DURING THE BILLS COMMITTEE'S DELIBERATIONS, THE HON SIMON IP PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD CHANGE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT AS A RECORDER BY MAKING SOLICITORS ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT.
MR FINDLAY SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD UNDERTAKEN TO CONSIDER THE LAW SOCIETY'S PROPOSAL IN THE CONTEXT OF A WIDER REVIEW SERVICES.
OTHER ISSUES WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE COURSE OF THAT, AND THE DEPARTMENT'S INTENTION WAS TO PUBLISH A CONSULTATION PAPER ON THIS AND OTHER ISSUES LATER IN THE YEAR, HE SAID.
LEGAL
MR.
FINDLAY SAID MR IP, HOWEVER, EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN ABOUT THE DELAY THAT THIS MIGHT TAKE ON THIS BROAD REVIEW AND THE BILLS COMMITTEE REQUESTED THAT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SHOULD GIVE IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION TO THAT MATTER OF THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF RECORDERS.
IN RESPONSE TO THAT REQUEST, HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD CONFIRMED THAT IT WOULD ACTIVELY DISCUSS THE QUALIFICATIONS WITH THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
SERVICES IN
"THE ADMINISTRATION WILL REPORT ITS VIEWS ON THAT ISSUE TO THIS COUNCIL'S PANEL ON ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND LEGAL OCTOBER, MR FINDLAY SADI.
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THE BILL WAS PASSED.
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