COMMISSION OF JURISTS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29623, 20 September 1961, Page 7

COMMISSION OF JURISTS

Section In N.Z. Proposed A move is being made to form a New Zealand section of the International Commission of Jurists. Those interested are being invited to apply for membership, which >s available to any person who holds or has held any judicial office in New Zealand, any barrister or solicitor. any teacher of law. any graduate in law. any holder of a professional qualification in law, and any law student The International Commission of Jurists is a nongovernmental and nonoolitical organisation with headquarters in Geneva, and is devoted to the support and advancement throughout the world of the rule of law. It is supported by many judges, law practitioners. law teachers and associations in several countries. Sir Leslie Munro, formerly New Zealand Ambassador to the United States and New Zealand representative at United Nations, is the secretarygeneral.

It is proposed to call a meeting of all applicants for membership for the purpose of forming the society, deciding on a name and a constitution and electing officers The draft constitution will include clauses setting out the objects of the society. Chief of these will be to keep under review, expound, develop, strengthen and protect the principles of the rule of law and to promote and preserve the independence of the judiciary and of the legal profession, the fundamental

liberties and other rights of individuals, the recognition' by the government that it should be subject to the law.: and the right to a fair trial of every person..” I