TNAG-0261-FCO40-297-Applications-by-judges-for-admission-to-legal-practise-at-Ho-1970 — Page 7

CYPHER CAT A

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORITY FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TELEGRAM NUMBER 374

TOPOVERNOR

TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG

2 JUNE 1979(HKK.14/19)

LAST

REF

12)

29

CONFIDENTIAL.

REF.

CHIEF JUSTICE WROTE TO MCPETRIE ON 26 MARCH SUGGESTING THAT

PERSONS APPOINTED IN FUTURE AS DISTRICT JUDGES SHOULD BE REQUIRED

TO GIVE THE SAME UNDERTAKING RELATING TO PRACTICE AS IS REQUIRED

FROM A JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT. THE CHIEF JUSTICE'S SUGGESTION IS ENDORSED HERE AND IF YOU ALSO AGREE YOU MAY TAKE THIS TELEGRAM AS AUTHORITY FOR REQUIRING ALL PERSONS WHO IN FUTURE ARE OFFERED

APPOINTMENTS AS DISTRICT JUDGES (INCLUDING LEONARD AND O'CONNOR WHOSE APPOINTMENTS ARE NOW PENDING) TO GIVE THE UNDERTAKING REFERRED

TO.

2. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT DISTRICT JUDGES NOW IN OFFICE MIGHT BE INFORMED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE THAT, THOUGH THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN THE UNDERTAKING, THE OBJECTION TO PRACTICE APPLIES EQUALLY IN THEIR CASE AND THAT THEY MAY EXPECT THAT THE CROWN WOULD OPPOSE

ANY APPLICATION FROM THEM FOR ADMISSION TO PRACTISE.

3. IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE PROPOSALS, YOU WILL IN DUE COURSE RECEIVE A SAVING DESPATCH EXTENDING THE APPLICATION OF THE RELEVANT COLONIAL OFFICE CIRCULAR DESPATCHES (NOS. 531/52 AND 12/53)

TO DISTRICT JUDGES.

STEWART

FILES:

H.K.D.

ADDL.DISTRIBUTION:

U.N.D. (4)

SIR L. MONSON

MR. WILFORD

LEGAL ADVISERS

COPIES TO OTHER DEPENDENT

TERRITORIES DEPTS.

CONFIDENTIAL