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The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) on the appointment of the Honourable James Spigelman and the Honourable William Gummow as non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions 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.
Mr Leung said, "I am pleased to accept the JORC's recommendation on the appointment of Mr James Spigelman and Mr William Gummow as non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions of the Court of Final Appeal. Mr Spigelman has been the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and has retired from that office since May 2011. Mr Gummow has been a Justice of the High Court of Australia and has retired from that office since October 2012. They are judges of considerable eminent standing and reputation. I am confident that they will be a great asset to 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 the judges of the Court of Final Appeal. The Administration will seek the endorsement of the Legislative Council of the recommended appointments in due course.
The curricula vitae of the recommended appointees are in the Annex.
Ends/Monday, April 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:02
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