*******************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

The Judiciary announced today (Thursday) the appointment of Mr Arjan Heera Sakhrani as Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court.

The appointment will take effect on April 15, 1998.

The Chief Justice, the Hon Mr Justice Andrew Kwok-nang Li, welcomes the appointment. "The appointee is an outstanding lawyer who brings a wealth of experience to the Judiciary.

"The appointment will contribute to the Judiciary in its commitment to uphold the rule of law and to maintain and foster an independent judicial system," he said.

The biographical note of the newly-appointed Judge is as follows:

Mr Arjan Heera Sakhrani, SC

Mr Sakhrani was born in Hong Kong in 1947. He was educated locally at St Joseph's College, King George V School and La Salle College. He studied law in England and was called to the Bar in England in 1968 at the age of 21 years. He returned to Hong Kong in 1968 and has been in private practice as a barrister since then. Mr Sakhrani was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1982 at the age of 35 years. He has also sat as a Deputy High Court Judge in 1984 and again in 1990.

Mr Sakhrani has also had a number of other public appointments as an Unofficial Justice of the Peace, a Member of the Law Reform Commission, a Member of the Commodities Trading Commission and a Member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and the Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Board. He has also been active in the Hong Kong Bar Association having served as Hon Secretary for a year and a Bar Committee Member for several years.

Mr Sakhrani is married with three sons and a daughter.

End/Thursday, April 2, 1998

NNNN