TNAG-0499-FCO40-564-Administration-of-justice-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 12

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60

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142

(1969

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2

Sir Vincent Evans

vixent

Mr Male

HONG KONG DISTRICT JUDGES:

Problem

1.

RECEIVED

"AT HY No. 521

NA 23 DEC1974

HUC14/6.

FORM OF ADDRESS

fray 23/22

Saving Eel to sime 23/12

To decide how we should respond to the Governor's Saving telegram no. 205, in which he reports that the Chief Justice has resurrected a proposal that District Judges in Hong Kong should be formally accorded the style of "His Honour Judge X". The Governor, supported by the Attorney-General, thinks there should be no change in the status quo.

Background

2.

The question was last raised in 1969, when it was decided that the courtesy address of "Your Honour" used in court was still a sufficient recognition of the dignity of the District Judges' office (our Saving telegram no. 569). The present Chief Justice

first raised the matter again with the Department's Legal Adviser. We had some sympathy with the proposal, particularly since it would do something to enhance the status of Hong Kong's judiciary and would thus represent a small improvement which we could quote to those (notably Lord Gardiner, Chairman of the Council of JUSTICE) who have been criticising Hong Kong's administration of justice. However, in his reply to the Chief Justice, Mr Rushford merely pointed out that, before the District Judges could be accorded the style of "His Honour Judge X", we would need a formal

recommendation from the Governor to this effect in order that Her Majesty's pleasure in the matter might be ascertained.

3.

The Governor has now told us that he does not support the proposal, and he has asked us to confirm that the 1969 ruling still stands.

4.

I postponed action on this, since I thought that it could be considered in the context of a wider submission, on the general subject of justice in Hong Kong, which we are preparing but which

/has been

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