TNAG-0196-FCO40-232-Judiciary-appointments-1970 — Page 25

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W(B)L 51-7406

some members of the Bar might prefer the

appointment of Sir Ivo Rigby but the abler

members of the Bar might even prefer to see the

appointment of the better lawyer. He appre-

ciated the claims of seniority but thought that

invariable attachment to seniority was

dangerous. Sir Ivo Rigby's confidential

reports had indicated since 1966 that he would

not be an ideal Chief Justice. It had to be

remembered that the appointment would be for

more than three years during which time the

public interest could suffer seriously from the

promotion of an unsuitable Chief Justice.

He

quoted from confidential reports on Sir Ivo

Rigby pointing out how observations which implied

criticism on a number of important counts had

built up to the outright statement in the 1969

report that "he was probably better suited to a

Court of Appeal than to be the Chief Justice".

3. A Chief Justice needed to be a good judge

and at least a sound lawyer; a man of common

sense and good judgment; with at least

adequate powers of administration;

on

satisfactory terms with his colleagues and the

possessor of such personal qualities that he was

respected by both the profession and the public

In all these respects Sir Ivo Rigby had been

criticised. In law he concentrated on the

criminal side and showed less interest in civil

The balance of his judgment had been

called into question and his powers of

law.

administration criticised. His relations with

S'enve

colleagues had been uneven and it was doubtful

profession

whether the public really respected him.

On the other hand the reports on Mr. Blair-Kerr

/ were