TNAG-0395-FCO40-441-Appointment-of-Chief-Justice--Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 14

Mr Rushford

Sir Vincent Evans

CONFIDENTIAL

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APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE, HONG KONG

1. As you know the informal approval of Her Majesty The Queen

has been obtained for the appointment of Mr Denys Roberts as

Chief Justice, Hong Kong in succession to Sir Ivo Rigby.

Subsequently, however, we have received the Governor, Hong

Kong's telegram No 11 which proposes that Mr Roberts should be

made Colonial Secretary and that Mr Justice Briggs should be

appointed as Chief Justice.

2. Sir Murray MacLehose originally put forward his proposals

in his despatch of 4 August 1972. He then concluded that the

best candidate was Mr Roberts and the second best Mr Justice

Briggs.

Subsequently the names mentioned in the Governor's

despatch as well as other outside candidates were discussed at

Sir Duncan Watson's meeting on 5 September. The Governor once

again recorded his support for Mr Roberts (his letter of

20 September) and Mr Rushford subsequently agreed (his minute of 5 October). We submitted to the Secretary of State

accordingly (my submission of 8 November) and The Queen approved

the appointment.

3. The possibility of substituting Mr Justice Briggs for

Mr Roberts was discussed at Sir Duncan Watson's meeting on

9 January at which Mr Rushford was present. It was agreed that

I would submit the papers to you for your consideration. Apart

from Mr Roberts the candidates remain the same and there is the

CONFIDENTIAL

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