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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

The Judiciary today (November 28) announced the appointment of Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li,S.C. as Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court. The appointment will take effect from December 3, 2001.

Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li who now holds office as a Recorder of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, will cease to be a Recorder with effect from the same day.

The Hon Chief Justice, Mr 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 an independent judicial system," he said.

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

Mr Ma was born in Hong Kong in 1956. He was called to the Bar in England and Wales, Hong Kong, State of Victoria, Australia and Singapore in 1978, 1980, 1983 and 1990 respectively. Mr Ma was in private practice since 1978 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1993. He was appointed by the Hong Kong Judiciary as Recorder of the Court of First Instance of the High Court in December of 2000.

Mr Ma has a number of public appointments, which include serving as an Associate Member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association, an Honorary lecturer of the Department of Professional Legal Education of the University of Hong Kong, a Member of the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Board, a Member of the High Court Civil Court Users Committee, a Member of the Hong Kong Futures Exchange Disciplinary Appeal Tribunal, Chairman of the Appeal Tribunal Panel (Buildings), Deputy Chairman of the SFC Appeals Panel, Deputy Chairman of the SFC Takeovers Appeals Committee and a Member of the Working Party on Civil Justice Reform.

Mr Ma is married with a daughter.

End/Wednesday, November 28, 2000

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