MOVES to allow provisional legislators to vet judges have triggered fears of political screening among liberal lawyers.
Leaders of two of the most influential parties within the handover body have said they want to actively vet appointments to the Court of Final Appeal and the new chief justice, not just 'rubber-stamp' the names.
Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, the legal profession's representative on the Legislative Council, said the ideas were 'not acceptable at all' and could lead to 'political vetting'.
Professor Raymond Wacks, of the University of Hong Kong's Department of Law, said the suggestions 'strike at the core of our system'.
But Hong Kong Progressive Alliance leader Ambrose Lau Hon-chuen said he believed the public expected the Provisional Legislature to fulfil its new duty under the Basic Law, which states it must endorse the appointment of top judges.
Mr Lau, a former Law Society president, believed the body should assess judges using the yardsticks of personal integrity, professional standing and ability.
