STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
JAMES PATRICK TRAINOR
ANNEX 'A'
Mr Trainor was born on 14 October 1914.
three children.
He is married with
He was educated at the Christian Brothers' School, Honaghan,
Republic of Ireland, and University College, Dublin, where he
obtained a BA in Legal and Political Science. He was called to the
Bar in 1950.
From 1931-36 he was articled to D H Charles Esq, from 1937-50
was in private practice as a Solicitor in the Irish Republic, and
from 1950-54 was practising at the Irish Bar.
He was appointed to the Colonial Legal Service in 1954 and
served as a Magistrate in Singapore until 1955. He was then
transferred to Cyprus and was Judge of the Special Court until 1960.
From 1960-62 he served as Judicial Commissioner, Jestern Pacific,
and from 1962 to date has been Judge of the High Court, New Hebrides.
For a time he was also ex-officio Judge of the Fiji Court of Appeal
and Legal Adviser to the High Commissioner, Western Pacific.
Reports on Mr Trainor's service describe him as a good, careful
judge and a sound technical lawyer with a pleasant and courteous
manner who is well liked by members of the public. His present
position, however, is said to make only limited demands upon his
enery and professional ability, and he is anxious to obtain a transfer
to a territory where he could expect to have a heavier workload.
In his confidential report for 1968, Sir Jocelyn Bodilly, the
Chief Justice, included the following passage: "The New Hebrides is
a difficult place. In my view Mr Justice Trainor does his best to
co-operate so far as his judicial position permits of co-operation;
but it is not always easy where the strictures of an unsatisfactory
legal system are incompatible with the smooth advance of a practical
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STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
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