CONFIDENTIAL
3. Mr Jackson-Lipkin was admitted to the Hong Kong Bar in
1963 and took up residence in Hong Kong in September 1969.
He is professionally very able and is said to be very highly
regarded by all Supreme Court judges, but his establishment
in Hong Kong as an able and successful practitioner and his
display of "know-all" characteristics has excited a good deal
of jealousy among some members of the Bar, who are likely to
resent his appointment to the Bench.
4. The Secretary of State has recently received a letter
from Henry Litton QC, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar
Association, in which he states, on their behalf and with
reference to the "Bar Petition", that "Any appointment to the
Bench of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong of a practising
barrister of less than 12 years standing at the Hong Kong
Bar or, who has not been ordinarily resident in the Colony
during that period, would not command the respect of the Bar".
Presumably this means that the Bar Association is aware of
the proposal in respect of Mr Jackson-Lipkin and is issuing
a warning of their attitude were he appointed to the Bench.
5. Our Legal Advisers accept the Governor's assessment of
Mr Jackson-Lipkin's ability and of the suitability for
promotion to Puisne Judge of Mr Cons in supersession of a
more senior colleague, Mr Morley-Johns. Their only doubt
about Mr Cons' promotion at this time is his comparative
youth he would not reach retiring age until 1990.
2.
CONFIDENTIAL
16.
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