Hong Kong chief justice says criticism by ex-justice minister won't affect judges
Geoffrey Ma says comments by the former justice minister will not affect judges; Bar Association warns against undermining of judicial system
Criticism by former justice minister Elsie Leung Oi-sie of Hong Kong judges will not influence the decisions of courts, according to the city's top judge.
"[Leung] enjoys her freedom of expression. However, her remarks will not affect judges," Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li said yesterday in response to questions after a ceremony to mark the opening of the legal year.
It was the first time Ma had commented on Leung's criticism last year of Hong Kong judges' "lack of understanding of the relationship between the HKSAR and the central government", which drew fire from the legal profession.
At yesterday's ceremony, Bar Association chairman Kumar Ramanathan SC warned against "political demagoguery" and "special interest groups" undermining the judicial system.
He said it was necessary to ensure that judges "can make decisions independent and free from the influence of political winds that may be blowing".
"In my view, we all have to be alert and vigilant to ensure that neither political demagoguery nor special interest groups, be they from whatever quarter, be allowed to undermine the genius of our unique constitutional and judicial system under the umbrella of the 'one country, two systems' principle."
In his speech, Ma said the court did take public interest into account in deciding cases - in particular those involving public law and constitutional principle. But this did not mean that the courts would "look to what sectors of the public or the majority of the public or even the government may desire as the outcome in any given case".