HKSAR chief executive appoints Andrew Cheung as chief justice of Court of Final Appeal

Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam Wednesday signed the instrument of appointment of Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, 58, as the chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal with effect from January 11, 2021.

According to the HKSAR Basic Law, the HKSAR Chief Executive shall appoint or remove judges of the courts at all levels in accordance with legal procedures.

With regard to the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Lam, in accordance with Article 88 of the HKSAR Basic Law, accepted in March this year the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission on the appointment of Cheung as the chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal, and obtained the endorsement of the appointment by the HKSAR Legislative Council last week.

Lam has also reported the appointment to the National People's Congress Standing Committee for the record, completing the relevant legal procedures for the appointment of the chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal.

Lam said she was pleased to formally appoint Cheung as the next chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal. The rule of law and judicial independence are core values of Hong Kong.

"With his exceptional qualities, distinguished leadership and vision, coupled with his reputation in the Judiciary and the legal sector, I have no doubt that Cheung will lead the Judiciary to ensure the continuation of the rule of law and judicial independence under the 'one country, two systems'," Lam said.

According to Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance, the Court of Final Appeal is the highest appellate court in the HKSAR. The chief justice shall be the head of the Judiciary and shall be charged with the administration of the Judiciary and such other functions as may from time to time be lawfully conferred on him.