TNAG-0499-FCO40-564-Administration-of-justice-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 74

CONFIDENTIAL

3.

6. Outside Appointments:

the Chief Justice does not favour

appointments from the UK, but thinks that if the retiring age is raised and pension arrangements adjusted, there might be good local candidates.

7. Experience in Civil Cases: the Chief Justice rejects

Justice's allegation that judges do not have sufficient civil experience.

8%

Confidence in the Judicial System: both the Chief Justice and the Governor reject the attacks by Justice..

9. Visiting team of Lawyers: the Governor is firmly opposed

to this.

Mr Rushford and I believe we must accept the broad lines of Hong Kong's reply. I also agree that we should not submit any letter from Lord Goronwy-Roberts to Lord Gardiner until after the discussion which Sir Vincent Evans will have with the Governor in June. (This is not yet in the Governor's programme but is being included.) Your talks can therefore be exploratory.

22 May 1974

Сс

Mr Youde

Mr Rushford

Sir V Evans

CONFIDENTJAI,

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean

Dept.

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