TNAG-2433-FCO40-3535-Hong-Kong-Her-Majesty-s-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-and-t-1992 — Page 185

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been

persistent

Last

There nas

difficulties in recruiting sufficient local qualified candidates το the grade. Ia the formal local recruitment exercise held in 1985, only two applications were received and no candidate was found suitable for appointment.

1985 channels direct.

of recruitment,

No formal recruitment exercise has been held siace November because it is considered more fruitful to use the informal g. through contacting tne profession Since 1986, 13 suitable local candidates were identified through these channels. The Registrar, Supreme Court has indicated that present indications are that no more suitable local candidates are forthcoming.

As a result, resort has to be made to overseas recruitaent on a continuous basis. Since early 1987, 11 overseas candidates nave been appointed.

In the circumstances, it is unlikely that there will be a sufficieat number of local officers to replace all the overseas officers currently serving in the grade for the foreseeable future and the service of Mr Britton would nost probably still be required in the next 5 years.

For the following reasons, it is considered appropriate to retain Mr Britton's service on a permanent basis

(d)

under the New Pension Scheme for judicial officers, the retirement age for Magistrates is set ac 60. If Mr Brittoa is allowed to be transferred to the permanent teras, he will thus serve till 60. This does not promise him longer period of employment than he now actually enjoys because according to the current arrangements, Magistrates on agreement terns will, on application, be granted linked contracts till the age of ου if their performance is satisfactory;

(b) one of the key features of the New Pension Scheme for judicial officers is that judicial officers must continue their service on the permanent establisomeat upon successful completion of the first probationary contract of taree years. Mr Britton's proposed transfer to the permanent establishment ties in with the spirit of the new arrangements;

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