Mr. Hum.
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Sir Geoffrey Howe Secretary of State for
2
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Whitehall
London
SW1
CLAS
رياح
Nv. Mclaren
HUD 373/1
Dear Geoffrey 3 THE CARRIAN TRIAL
PLUMTREE COURT,
• MAR 1988 LONDON,
EC4A 4HT.
TELEPHONE: 01-583 5000
25th February 1988
Since I wrote to you two days ago, I have received further cuttings which I enclose.
It is well known in Hong Kong that complaints about Mr Justice Barker have been lodged, and I drew attention to this in paragraph 2(e) of my letter dated 8th October 1987.
Up to this point of time, the impatience of the legal profession (which I know has been smouldering for many months hoping that some action would be taken) has been contained, but it has now burst into flames and there is virtually an open call for Mr Justice Barker's resignation. I think it will now be impossible for counsel, and for parties involved in any form of litigation who appear before him, to have confidence in the administration of justice.
The call for his resignation is, of course, primarily directed at the quality of his judgement, but that alone is not a justification for a Judge's removal. The state of the Judge's mental and physical health has been the subject of open comment in the press, and these factors are, of course, known to the lawyers practising in Hong Kong.
Jour
them
The Lord Benson
Encs
16
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