TNAG-0707-FCO40-873-Dependent-Territories-Senior-Appointments-Board--1978-1978 — Page 113

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4.

Condominium Courts (with the exception of the Native Courts) have jurisdiction over all persons. A unified system of courts is being introduced to replace the British and French national jurisdictions,

vestiges of which will remain until unified civil and

commercial codes are enacted. Wide powers are conferred upon the hesident Commissioner by Queen's Regulations, particularly in recently enacted commercial legislation where he exercises his discretion in the granting of licences and permits but these spheres are now a responsibility of the Assembly and Council of Ministers.

5. The British Resident Commissioner is responsible for

the British Police Force in the New Hebrides. He and the

French Resident Commissioner are jointly responsible for

the peace and security of the territory and for calling

in police or military re-inforcements if required. The

unification of the police forces and the transfer of the regular police units (as opposed to riot control units)

to the Government is under consideration.

6.

The circumstances of the Condominium are unique and

involve the Resident Commissioner in day-to-day contact with his French colleagues. This requires not only the establishment of an effective working relationship but also calls for the ability to harmonise divergent methods on

the part of the two Administering Powers. Both need to

act through the New Hebridean Council of Ministers of

which they are ex-officio members under the chairmanship

of the Chief Minister. helations at the local level have

not always been easy, and the Condominium represents an area of potential strain in Anglo-French relations. The post thus calls for the exercise of diplomatic skill

to a degree required in few other senior Dependent Territory

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MANAGEMENT IN CONFILENCE

/appointments

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