9. For my own part, I sympathise with the desire of the Chief Justice of Hong Kong and his predecessors in office to give the District Judges a style and a due place in the order of precedence. To my mind this would tend to emphasise the fact that District Judges are not mere civil servants subservient to the executive government but are judicial officers with an important independent status. It would also tend to make the appointment of District Judge more attractive to suitable local lawyers.
10.
Clearly we cannot impose this view on the Governor but perhaps we could ask him to reconsider the view in his recent savingram. In the nature of the matter, we cannot adduce overwhelming reasons for making a change, but equally there does not seem to be any serious impediment except for civil service attitudes as between the administration and the judiciary. If the Governor is approached perhaps a d.o. letter might be preferable to a formal communication.
A.R.R.
11 October 1974
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Mr Pauncefort (GGD)
Mrs Drummond (PCD)
A R Rushford
Deputy Legal Adviser
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