The Chief Executive, on the Chief Justice’s recommendation, has appointed Justice Poon Siu-tung as a panel judge under the Interception of Communications & Surveillance Ordinance, the Government announced today.

Justice Poon is to succeed Justice Mohan Tarachand Bharwaney and the appointment is for three years from October 25.

Panel judges consider applications for authorisations of interception and Type 1 surveillance and for device retrieval warrants.

Justice Poon was appointed as Permanent Magistrate in 2002, as District Judge in 2009 and as the Chief District Judge in 2012. He was appointed as Judge of the Court of First Instance in 2019.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she is confident that Mr Poon will work with the other two incumbent panel judges, Justices Barnabas Fung and Lisa Wong, to make use of their expertise and experience to ensure the effective operation of the regulatory regime under the ordinance.