The Bar Association yesterday issued a warning over the involvement of judges in last month's consultations on the Selection Committee.
It said doubts could be created about judges' accountability if they were to handle court cases related to the committee, the association said.
Bar Council member Lo Pui-yin said: 'In future, they might have to handle court cases which involve the Preparatory Committee or the Selection Committee.
'Their involvement might affect their verdicts, accountability and public image in exercising their duty.' Mr Lo was elaborating on views expressed in a letter sent by the association to Shiu Sin-por, secretary-general of the Preparatory Committee, on Friday.
Three members of the Local Judicial Officers' Association - Mr Justice Liu, Mr Justice Yeung and Judge Pang - attended the Preparatory Committee's first consultation exercise in Hong Kong last month.
In the letter, association chairman Gladys Li said: 'It is wrong in principle for members of the judiciary to be involved in the process of consultation on the formation of the Selection Committee, whether formally or informally, since it affects the independence of the judiciary including the principle that the judiciary must be seen to be impartial.' To avoid actual or potential conflict of interest, Ms Li said that no member of the Selection Committee should be eligible for the post of chief executive.
