Chief Executive John Lee has accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) that William Gillow Gibbes Austen Young be appointed as a non-permanent Court of Final Appeal judge.

Subject to the Legislative Council’s endorsement, the Chief Executive will make the appointment under Article 88 of the Basic Law and section 9 of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance.

Mr Lee announced that he is pleased to accept the JORC's recommendation, noting that Mr Young retired from his role as a Permanent Judge of New Zealand’s Supreme Court, that country's final court of appeal, in April 2022.

“He is a judge of eminent standing and reputation," the Chief Executive said. "I am confident that he will contribute substantively to the Court of Final Appeal.”

Mr Lee highlighted that with Mr Young’s appointment, the panel of non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions will consist of six eminent judges from the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

“The presence of these esteemed overseas jurists as non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal is a manifestation of the independence of the Judiciary in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as protected by the Basic Law.

“Their participation demonstrates a high degree of confidence in the Hong Kong SAR’s judicial system, and enables Hong Kong to maintain strong links with other common law jurisdictions.”

The Chief Executive expressed confidence that distinguished jurists bringing profound judicial experience from overseas will remain a unique strength of Hong Kong's judicial system.

Article 90 of the Basic Law and section 7A of the ordinance provide that the Chief Executive shall obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council on the appointment of Court of Final Appeal judges. The Government will seek such an endorsement in due course.