THE Law Society's consultation of its members on the Court of Final Appeal draft bill is not being carried out properly, a member of the society's executive committee says. An ad hoc working group, chaired by president Roderick Woo Bun, had made proposals on how to amend the bill before copies had reached the rest of the council, said Philip Li of the Law Society Council. The council had received the draft bill and the proposal on Saturday morning. Mr Li said he and some council members thought a council meeting should have been called instead of a working group set up. He and fellow council member William Tsui Hing-chuen said they had no idea of the size of the working group or who was on it. 'It appears to me that it is some kind of a secret meeting. . . . Why don't they include me?' Mr Li said. Divisions within the council over the bill are expected. Both Mr Woo and one working group member have expressed support for the most controversial provision, which limits the number of overseas judges to one. But Mr Li said he opposed it and said the working group's opinion could not set the tone for the council. Mr Woo said the working group was intended to prepare the ground for the council's considerations. He said he had chosen the members and had the power to do so, adding it was usual practice. to set up such committees. How the final decision should be determined would be discussed at tomorrow's council meeting, Mr Woo said.
