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Author Archives: hksar gov

Appointment of the Chief Judge of the High Court

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, today (May 22) welcomed the acceptance by the Chief Executive of the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) on the appointment of the Honourable Mr Justice Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, as the Chief Judge of the High Court. The Chief Justice noted that the Government would be seeking the endorsement of the Legislative Council of the recommended appointment. 

     The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a court of unlimited civil and criminal jurisdiction, subject to the provisions of the High Court Ordinance (Cap. 4). The High Court consists of the Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance. The Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance are constituted by judges including the Chief Judge of the High Court, who is the president of the Court of Appeal.

     Mr Justice Poon stated that he is honoured by the Chief Executive’s acceptance of JORC’s recommendation on the appointment. He noted that the Government would be seeking the Legislative Council’s endorsement and said that if appointed, he would do his utmost to discharge his duties as the Chief Judge of the High Court. read more

East Asia

Senior judicial appointment: non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) on the appointment of the Right Honourable Lord Jonathan Sumption as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal. Subject to the endorsement of the Legislative Council, the Chief Executive will make the appointment under Article 88 of the Basic Law.

     Mrs Lam said, “I am pleased to accept the JORC’s recommendation to appoint Lord Sumption as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal. Lord Sumption was a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom since January 2012 until he retired from the office in December 2018. He is a judge of eminent standing and reputation. I am confident that he will be a great asset to the Court of Final Appeal.

     “With the appointment of Lord Sumption, the panel of non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions will consist of 15 eminent judges from the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. The presence of these non-permanent judges manifests the judicial independence of Hong Kong.”

     The Court of Final Appeal is constituted by five judges when hearing and determining appeals. Since July 1, 1997, apart from very few exceptions, one of the judges has invariably been drawn from the list of non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions to hear a substantive appeal on the Court of Final Appeal.   

     Article 90 of the Basic Law provides that the Chief Executive shall obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council on the appointment of judges of the Court of Final Appeal. The Government will seek the endorsement of the Legislative Council of the recommended appointment in due course.

    The curriculum vitae of Lord Sumption is in the Annex. read more

East Asia

Senior judicial appointment: Chief Judge of the High Court

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) on the appointment of the Honourable Mr Justice Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, as the Chief Judge of the High Court. Subject to the endorsement of the Legislative Council, the Chief Executive will make the appointment under Article 88 of the Basic Law.

     Mrs Lam said, “I am pleased to accept the JORC’s recommendation to appoint Mr Justice Poon as the Chief Judge of the High Court. Mr Justice Poon is a highly competent judge of high integrity who commands respect within the Judiciary and from the legal profession. He is experienced in both civil and criminal appeals and possesses rich administrative experience. I am confident that Mr Justice Poon, if appointed, will discharge his duties as the Court Leader of the High Court with distinction.”

     Article 90 of the Basic Law provides that the Chief Executive shall obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council on the appointment of the Chief Judge of the High Court. The Government will seek the endorsement of the Legislative Council of the recommended appointment in due course.

     The curriculum vitae of Mr Justice Poon is in the Annex. read more

East Asia