[Hong Kong version of the National Security Law] The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is worried about legislation or not sending staff to take charge of the work of the Court of Final Appeal

Instant International

Written by: Zhang Zijie

2020-07-18 01:00

After China implemented the National Security Act in Hong Kong, whether Hong Kong can maintain its judicial independence has become the focus of attention. Robert Reed, president of the United Kingdom Supreme Court and non-permanent judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, issued a statement on July 17 stating that it does not exclude British judges will resign as non-permanent judges of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.

Wei Yande's statement mentioned that the National Security Law of the Minato District has brought a series of worries, saying that its impact will depend on how the law is enforced. He also said that the Hong Kong courts have been hearing civil and commercial cases, as well as lawsuits involving demonstration rights and freedom of speech. He believes that Hong Kong judges will do everything in their power to guarantee judicial independence and the spirit of the rule of law, and have the support of British judicial peers.

He also said that the British Supreme Court will continue to assess the situation in Hong Kong and discuss the situation with the British government. As for whether judges in common law countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia will continue to serve as non-permanent judges in Hong Kong, Wei Yande said that it will depend on whether the judicial independence and the rule of law in Hong Kong can be maintained.

The statement also quoted the remarks of Chief Justice Ma Daoli, who is retiring soon, that judicial independence and the rule of law are the cornerstones of Hong Kong society, and that maintaining and protecting the relevant system is the constitutional responsibility and mission of the Hong Kong judiciary.

After the transfer of power in Hong Kong in 1997, the United Kingdom agreed to send two current Supreme Court judges as non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal, and after Brenda Hale retired from the Supreme Court earlier, Wei Yande was the only current Supreme Court Justice. The Court of Final Appeal is a non-permanent judge. No British judge currently plans to come to Hong Kong this year.

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