Early warning defended

A JUSTICE Department official dismissed criticism that the Secretary for Justice had done anything wrong in giving prior notification to Chief Justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang on the application for clarification over the court ruling.

Senior Assistant Solicitor-General Wong Hin-hong confirmed Elsie Leung Oi-sie had told the Chief Justice on Tuesday she might file for the court to clarify its January 29 judgment.

Chairman of the jurists' lobby group Justice, Gladys Li Chi-hei, condemned the Government for not respecting judicial independence.

But Mr Wong maintained it was ultimately for the court to decide whether it accepted the application. 'There is absolutely nothing inappropriate,' he said.