TNAG-0398-FCO40-444-Appointments-to-supreme-and-district-courts-from-the-Bar-in--1973 — Page 79

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Reference.....

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HKK 14/58

58(1772)

Mr Fifoot (Legal Adviser W 44/3)

ie

spoty of

HONG KONG: CALIBRE OF MAGISTRATES

1.

16 ü

I tried to telephone you this morning, but you were evidently out of your office. I wonder if you would let me have your comments on a question asked by Mr Royle on Mr Stuart's submission at folio 1 about how the calibre of magistrates in Hong Kong could be improved.

2. My own guess is that there is little we can do from here; it will be up to the new Chief Justice, when he takes up office, to take what action he considers appropriate. But perhaps there may be an opportunity for one of the Legal Advisers to discuss the problem with him either here or in Hong Kong.

3. I do not know if you would have any comments on the quality and selection of candidates. I infer from your minute of 12 December that you do not yourself sit on the selection board held by the Crown Agents. I am not sure which Legal Adviser does sit on it, but you might think it worth passing the papers to him for further comment.

4.

I fear that these papers have been seriously held up in the Department because of the protracted illness of Miss Kelly and my own absence from the Office. We should, therefore, be most grateful for your early advice.

16 February 1973

R2.1. Cor.

R B Crowson

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

KW /VIDE

AKK 14/12.

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