No interference in justice, declare HK legal figures

A string of senior figures in Hong Kong's legal system have defended the impartiality and independence of the judiciary against public and political interference, after a year of controversial cases.

Speaking yesterday at a ceremony marking the new legal year, Secretary for Justice Wong Yan-lung urged the public not to put pressure on courts deciding cases of great social importance so as to uphold judicial independence.

At the same ceremony, the chairman of the Bar Association, Kumar Ramanathan, also urged people not to attack lawyers who represented unpopular clients, saying it was their duty to ensure people have access to justice.

The increasing number of judicial reviews showed that people were aware of their freedom and right to challenge a governmental policy, said Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal. He said that the courts would only consider the arguments of the case and would not be swayed by political issues.

Their comments came against the background of a number of controversial judicial reviews last year, including the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, and foreign domestic helpers' fight for right of abode.

'Judicial decisions must be independent and impartial and must not be dictated by public opinion or convenience,' Wong said.