TNAG-2438-FCO40-3543-Hong-Kong-judiciary-appointments-1992 — Page 170

CODE 18-77

Mr Ricketts

Rickett

CONFIDENTIAL

12

Reference..

VACANCY FOR JUSTICE OF APPEAL

HKA 373/1

•

I would not normally trouble you with appointments to the Supreme Court, but the above appointment may provoke some controversy in Hong Kong judicial circles.

2.

The proposal is to appoint Mr Henry Litton QC to be a Justice of Appeal. He seems to be eminently qualified but he has not served in a permanent capacity on the High Court and therefore the appointment will be unusual. Miss Brooks thinks he would make an excellent candidate. I see no grounds for turning down the proposal and recommend that we agree.

3.

See poli

My slight unease at all this relates to page 5 of the extract of the minutes of the JSC meeting held on 21 December

flagged The Chief Justice appears to think that appointing judges from outside Hong Kong might arouse Chinese suspicions. However, I though this was exactly what we were trying to achieve in order to give the Court of Final Appeal a bit more credibility under the 4:1 proposed composition.

4.

At the same time as approving this to the Judiciary, do you think it would be worthwhile writing to the Governor flagging up what on the face of it seems to be rather contrary thinking by the Chief Justice. I am aware that you have recently written to the Governor on this area and you may think two letters in a short space of time a bit too

much.

мил изне

M V Stone

17 March 1992

MVSADR

Approved.

letter send Рум

18/3

Mr. Rickett No. Usually up praved at Department

Level or

or by

there is

any

Aus if

doubt /

controvery.

Pranks. I did discuss the possible

appointment of overseas judges briefly with the fovernor Mary Karp. He is seized of it, and has spoke to the CJ Protast after tis JSC meeting. I Hank we can leave matters

there so te moment.

CONFIDENTIAL

D

normally submit

В 1873

on appontments to Court of Appeal?