TNAG-0189-FCO40-225-Chinese-marriages-in-Hong-Kong-1969 — Page 28

HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION

REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON CHINESE MARRIAGES IN HONG KONG

The Sub-Committee was constituted by a Resolution of the Bar Committee with the purpose (i) of giving consideration to the various reports published by the Government on Chinese marriages in Hong Kong, and (ii) of reporting on the subject to the Bar Committee with a view to the Committee putting forward recommendations to the Government on behalf of the Hong Kong Bar Association. The Sub-Committee consisted of two practising Members of the Association, Gerald de Basto1 (Convenor) and Henry H.L. Hu2, and one Associate Member, Anthony R. Dicks3, who agreed to act as Rapporteur of the Sub-Committee. In addition, the Honorary Secretary of the Bar Association invited Members and Associate Members of the Association to communicate their views on any matters connected with the subject of Chinese marriages to the members of the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee was particularly fortunate in obtaining the assistance of Dr. M.J. Meijer, Consul in Hong Kong of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and an established authority on Chinese law, who was kind enough to contribute to its deliberations his learning and experience. It should be made clear, however, that responsibility for the opinions expressed in this report rests with the Sub-Committee, and that they do not necessarily represent Dr. Meijer's view.

3. The Sub-Committee decided to confine its attention to a close consideration of the nature and adequacy of the eleven New

1. LL.B.; of Lincoln's Inn & the New South Wales Bar, Barrister-at-Law. 2. Docteur-en-Droit; of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law.

3. M.A., LL.B.; of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-Law; Research Fellow in Chinese Law of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law and of the Institute of Current World Affairs.

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