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The Chief Justice today (May 2) noted that the Chief Executive has accepted the recommendations of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) on the appointment of The Right Honourable The Lord Woolf of Barnes, The Right Honourable The Lord Scott of Foscote and The Right Honourable Sir Ivor Richardson as non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions to the Court of Final Appeal. The Chief Justice has also noted that the Chief Executive has accepted the recommendation of JORC on the appointment of Mr Justice Ma as the Chief Judge of the High Court. The Chief Justice noted that the Administration will be seeking the endorsement of the Legislative Council of these recommended appointments.

"It should be noted that Mr Justice Ma is the spouse of Madam Justice Yuen, a Justice of Appeal in the Court of Appeal. As has been publicly stated when Mr Justice Ma was appointed to the Court of Appeal in November 2002, they would not sit in the same division of the Court of Appeal. If the recommended appointment of Mr Justice Ma as the Chief Judge of the High Court is to take effect, the arrangement that they would not sit in the same division in the Court of Appeal will continue. In addition, Mr Justice Ma will not deal with any matter concerning Madam Justice Yuen. All matters concerning Madam Justice Yuen will be dealt with by the Chief Justice," said the Judiciary spokesman.

The Chief Justice also paid tribute to the invaluable contribution of Mr Justice Leong, the current Chief Judge of the High Court. "On behalf of the Judiciary, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mr Justice Leong for his invaluable service to the Judiciary. Throughout his career, Mr Justice Leong has served the Judiciary with dedication and effectiveness. He has also made an important contribution in the field of the rehabilitation of offenders."

"I am also deeply grateful for the unstinting support Mr Justice Leong has given me as Chief Justice. He will be departing with the highest respect of the entire Judiciary. He will always be respectfully remembered and sadly missed. On behalf of the Judiciary, I wish Mr Justice Leong and his family good health and every happiness for the future."

End/Friday, May 2, 2003

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