Sitting in his tranquil office in the Court of Final Appeal building, Andrew Li Kwok-nang is a picture of cool calculation and confidence as he looks back on a decade as Hong Kong's top judge.
His enduring faith in the strength of the city's independent judiciary and rule of law reflects a widespread feeling that the legal system has fared better than many expected over the past 10 years.
But the chief justice's understated air of authority and cautious optimism are combined with a recognition that the judiciary has been embroiled in some of the biggest controversies to arise as a result of Hong Kong's return to China.
Even as he prepares to mark the anniversary, fresh worries are being raised about perceived threats to the independence of the judiciary arising from a speech last week by the National People's Congress chairman Wu Bangguo .
Mr Justice Li, a lawyer for 30 years, takes such concerns in his stride, offering reassurance. But he stresses that there is an ongoing need for everyone to play a part in ensuring the survival of the rule of law.
'I was willing to accept the appointment because I was confident the 'one country, two systems' concept would work. But it is important for us in Hong Kong to work hard to implement it,' he said. 'The independent judiciary is a cornerstone of our separate system and I was determined to continue to build on what had been done in the past, to establish a judiciary of even higher standards and of higher quality than before.'