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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

The Chief Executive has accepted the recommendation of the Chief Justice to extend the term of office for a period of three years of The Rt Hon The Lord Hoffmann, non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal ("CFA") with effect from January 12, 2004.

At present, there are eight non-permanent Hong Kong judges and 10 non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions. The current term of office of The Rt Hon The Lord Hoffmann will expire on January 11, 2004.

"The Court of Final Appeal Ordinance provides for a list of non-permanent Hong Kong judges and a list of judges from other common law jurisdictions. The term of appointment of such judges is three years. That term may be extended for one or more periods of three years by the Chief Executive acting in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Justice," a spokesman for the Judiciary said.

Ends/Monday, January 5, 2004

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