The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (March 18) expressed sorrow over the passing of Sir Anthony Mason, a former non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal.

     "Sir Anthony was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2013 in recognition of his contributions to Hong Kong. He served as a non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal from 1997 to 2015. Since the earliest days of the Court of Final Appeal's establishment, Sir Anthony contributed to nurturing the Court's development with his profound wisdom and illustrious experience. He adjudicated a wide range of high-profile cases, serving the Court with dedication and excellence. Highly esteemed and deeply respected in the judicial and legal sectors, Sir Anthony consistently supported - both during his tenure and after his retirement - Hong Kong's arrangement of appointing judges from common law jurisdictions as non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal under the Basic Law. He was instrumental in establishing the reputation of the Court of Final Appeal and furthering its prestige in Hong Kong and other common law jurisdictions. Sir Anthony also steadfastly supported legal education in Hong Kong, having lectured to numerous students, teachers and legal professionals of Hong Kong throughout the years. He constantly inspired the younger generation with his wit and intellect and made eminent contributions to Hong Kong's legal sector.

     "I express sorrow over the passing of Sir Anthony and extend my deepest condolences to his family," Mr Lee said.

Ends/Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:00

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