New Zealand jurist appointed as temporary judge for Hong Kong's highest court.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, has announced the appointment of a distinguished New Zealand justice, Sir William Gillow Gibbes Austen Young, to the city's highest court. The 73-year-old retiree has been endorsed by the legislature and will serve as a temporary judge on the Court of Final Appeal.
With this move, Young joins a cohort of five other overseas justices, solidifying the top court's lineup. Lee believes Young's prominence in the judicial world will significantly contribute to the Court of Final Appeal.
Young, who retired from New Zealand's Supreme Court (the country's highest court) in April 2022 following a decade of service, has since served on the final appellate courts of Seychelles, Samoa, and Fiji.
The proposal for Young's appointment was made by the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, which Lee ultimately approved.
Once Young accepts his position, the Court of Final Appeal will boast six non-permanent judges from common law jurisdictions like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
A Look into Sir William's Background
Sir William Young, a renowned jurist,had served as a permanent judge of New Zealand's Supreme Court for 12 years before retirement in April 2022. Since his retirement, he has sat on the final appellate courts of Seychelles, Samoa, and Fiji. In a brief stint in July 2022, he was appointed to the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts but resigned shortly after.
Significance of the Appointment
Young's appointment underscores Hong Kong's commitment to maintaining strong judicial ties with common law systems and highlights the independence of its judiciary. The move is seen as a vote of confidence in Hong Kong's legal system, showcasing its ability to attract esteemed jurists from around the globe.
The appointment process involved the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, an independent body that screens and proposes suitable candidates for key judicial appointments. This process is critical to ensuring the independence and integrity of the judicial system in Hong Kong.
Sir William Young, previously a permanent judge of New Zealand's Supreme Court, has accepted a temporary position on Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal, as announced by Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu. This follows his short stint at the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts and his service on the final appellate courts of Seychelles, Samoa, and Fiji.
This appointment signifies Hong Kong's ongoing commitment to strengthening judicial ties with common law systems and highlights the independence of its judiciary. The selection process was overseen by the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, ensuring the independence and integrity of the judicial system in Hong Kong.
In the realm of general news and politics, this move is seen as a testament to Hong Kong's ability to attract respected jurists from various parts of the world, showcasing the integrity and credibility of its legal system.
