TNAG-2438-FCO40-3543-Hong-Kong-judiciary-appointments-1992 — Page 107

9.

Asia-Pacific region and to

way

seek to achieve this in a

and not jeopardise, the a strong local legal

which would strengthen, continuing development of profession undominated by large foreign law firms.

Other significant factors which have Committee's thinking have been:

I

influenced the

the responses received to the

exercise initiated by the issue

147/90, entitled "Associations with

Firms";

work on the accreditation scheme;

the GATT/GATS negotiations; and

consultation

of

Circular

Foreign Law

the responses received to the publication of the Consultation Paper dated July 1991

Taking each of these in turn:-

Circular 147/90

The responses received both from local and foreign law firms suggested that the draft rules set out in the Circular would not command widespread support and that there was significant support for a thorough examination of all the issues raised by associations between law firms, in all the many forms which associations can take.

Accreditation Scheme

It

rapidly became evident to the Committee that the introduction of an accreditation scheme would have significant ramifications in relation to any Scheme of regulation for foreign lawyers, foreign law firms and

3