Top leaders of Hong Kong’s legal sector continue to be impacted by the national security law, this time in the form of two senior British judges who have decided to resign from the city’s Court of Final Appeal.

Robert Reed and Patrick Hodge resigned yesterday as non-permeant judges in the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (HKCFA) – the city’s top court – according to a statement, citing the national security law as the cause.

According to Reed – who is also the president of the U.K. supreme court – his position as an HKCFA judge had become «increasingly finely balanced» following the introduction of the security law in 2020.

«The courts in Hong Kong continue to be internationally respected for their commitment to the rule of law,» he said. «Nevertheless, I have concluded, in agreement with the government, that the judges of the Supreme Court cannot continue to sit in Hong Kong without appearing to endorse an administration which has departed from values of political freedom, and freedom of expression, to which the Justices of the Supreme Court are deeply committed.»

Foreign Judge Exits

Reed and Hodge join fellow British colleague Brenda Hale and Australia’s James Spigelman as other foreign judges who have stepped down from Hong Kong’s highest court since 2020 and over reasons reportedly related to the security law.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam issued a statement noting that foreign judges have made valuable contributions to Hong Kong for 25 years but added that «we must vehemently refute any unfounded allegations that the judges' resignations have anything to do with […] the national security law.»

Legal Sector Leaders

Recently, ex-head of Hong Kong’s Bar Association Paul Harris – another legal sector leader –  was also affected by the national security law.

Earlier this month, Harris fled from the city after a probe by police from the security law department over alleged violations from his work at non-government organization Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor

 

https://www.finews.asia/people/36425-ex-hong-kong-bar-association-chair-flees-city

Ex-Hong Kong Bar Association Chair Flees City