Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to acknowledge Your Grace's Despatch No 10 of the 10th of February last, transmitting for my report, a letter from Mr Charles Walkem respecting his sons claim to be admitted tothe the Bar of British Columbia, and complaining that the presiding Judge (Mr Begbie) had refused to admit him to plead in the Supreme Court of the Colony because he had not previously passed the Bar in England.

2. I beg in explanation to observe that on Mr Justice Begbie's first arrival in the Colony he adopted mutatis mutandis, the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Civil Court of Vancouvers Island framed by Mr Justice Cameronstrictly strictly in accordance with the Order in Council, constituting that Court; from a conviction the former then entertained, that a similar practice prevailed in Her Majesty's other Colonies, and that it would not be proper for him to depart from an established precedent.

3. By that Order in Council no one could be admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Vancouver Island, excepting Barristers and Attorneys from England, Irelandand and Scotland. When the Court of British Columbia was constituted the practitioners of the Court of Vancouver Island were admitted to practice there also, and have since availed themselves of that privilege on behalf of any Clients, who retained their services.

4. This state of things has continued until lately, without any complaint on the part of the public; but I see no reason why ColonialBarristers Barristers or Attorneys, provided they be of good character, and properly instructed in English Law, should be excluded from practising in the Courts of British Columbia, and I have therefore called Mr Justice Begbie's attention to the propriety of making such amendments in the Rules of his Court, as may render such persons eligible for admission, and I have no doubt that Mr Walkem on producing satisfactory credentialswill will be admitted to practice as soon as such rules are framed.