Mr and Mrs Justice Bokhary were asked to give an interview more than a year ago, when it became clear that Mrs Bokhary was nearing promotion. It was politely declined with what sounded like the excuse that it was best to wait.
Fair enough. It's extremely rare for judges to give interviews, rarer still for them to admit to a life out of court. But then, 14 months later, Mrs Bokhary was appointed. And the day later Mr Bokhary phoned.
'I haven't forgotten the request,' he said and added with a laugh, 'I know it can be hard for journalists. Unlike us judges they can't just subpoena people they want to talk to.' The Bokharys are one of Hong Kong's power couples. He is set for the court of final appeal; she is one of the leading women judges. But out of court it would be hard to guess their professions. They are open, informal, even fun. Equally remarked upon is the fact that after nearly 20 years of marriage, they are very happy together - the sort of couple who still hold hands.
Kemal Bokhary, 49, is one of the judiciary's fastest rising stars and the Supreme Court's most colourful personality. He took silk at 35 and was appointed to the High Court straight from private practice in 1989 at the age of 41. Four years later, he became (and still is) the youngest judge to sit on the Court of Appeal.
Verina Bokhary, 46, was one of the first women in Hong Kong to become a barrister and - with her appointment on May 24 - she has become the second woman to sit as a judge on the High Court. Her 11-year record as a magistrate and District Court judge and the fact she is ethnic Chinese, also make her a likely candidate for further promotion.
Mr Bokhary is a rarity for a further reason - he is a well-liked judge. He is described as generous, intelligent, considerate, extremely nice. One senior barrister puts it: 'He's a bright ray of hope in a very murky group.' He is also known for his sense of humour, his tendency to be extremely talkative in court, his independence . . . and his love of dogs. He is president of the Hong Kong Kennel Club - the photographs in his chambers are divided between two side tables: one carries those of his wife and daughters, the other, those of his bulldogs.