CO129-447 - Governor Sir May - 1918 [1-3] — Page 138

Enclosure /

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136

REG 2 APR 18

Chief Justice's Chambers,

Sunneme Court, 15th June, 1917.

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In regard to a regent interview whio Your Excellency accorded me on the subject of delay caused in the progress of

litigation in the Courts, owing to the abnormal length of a case

now in course of hearing, I beg to submit proposals, already

indicated at the interview, which should prevent in future a

recurrence of the state of affaire now existing.

The system in vogue in this Colony is practically

uniform with that appertaining in England. Counsel i.e. Barristers-

at-law have the sole right of audience in the Supreme Court in

all 08800, with the exception of those heard in the Summary Court

and in Bankruptoy Jurisdiction.

5.

The number of Barristers in practice in this

Colony is five, two of whom are King's Counsel. Two Chinese

Berriaters have been recently admitted.

of the five Counsel it may safely be assumed that

three, and often four, are engaged in every aotion in Original

Jurisdiction. Then these actions are normal they are taken by

the Chief Justice and proceeded with in their order on the trial

paper, and no unnecessary delay arisen.

The Puiane Judge proceeds with the work in the

Summary Court where solicitors, save in very exoentional oases,

appear. The Services of both Judges are utilised at the monthly

Criminal Sessions.

5.

It is however quite a common event for a Chinese

Astion, and by this I mean litigation between Chinese, to last

for many wooks. This is due, according to my experience, to

several okuses. Firstly, all the evidence has to be taken through

Interpreters. Then delay is frequently caused by the production

of documents during the hearing to meet the case of the other Er's Covely

side, all of which have to be translated and approved by the

Mat about