This is an abridged version of the speech that Mr Justice Gerald Godfrey made yesterday morning to mark his last appearance in court before his retirement. The mention of 'Patrick' is understood to be a reference to Chief Judge Patrick Chan Siu-oi.
'I did intend today to deliver a hard-hitting and forthright speech, critical of the state of justice in Hong Kong. But I was attended in my chambers at 9 o'clock this morning by an unidentified party, whose name I cannot remember, who expressed to me some concern - if I did not misunderstand him - on the part of the Chief Justice [Andrew Li Kwok-nang], that if I were to make any controversial remarks, that would not be good for the reputation of the justice system in Hong Kong.
'I was initially angry about this. I said to the unidentified party: 'Now listen here Patrick' - oh I am sorry, I made a mistake, I mean the unidentified person - 'this is an attack upon my judicial freedom.' He pointed out, of course, that it was nothing of the sort. He was quite right about that. He did say to me that if I wanted to improve my chances of being awarded the GBH [Grand Bauhinia Honour] or to be appointed to the distinguished rank of the non-permanent judges of the CFA [Court of Final Appeal], I might find it better to refrain from making such a speech. So, I succumb to the pressure. I will not make such a speech - until tomorrow.
'I do have one theme. That is to say thank you . . . I am grateful to those authors who gave me an interest in the Orient when I was a schoolboy and fuelled me with an enthusiasm one day to travel to the Far East.
'I have to say thank you to two distinguished members of the Bar, Martin Lee [Chu-ming] and Robert Tang. They are responsible for suggesting to me I might accept an appointment here as a judge. I had complained about the lack of expertise of the then judiciary of Hong Kong - now, of course, it is much better - in chancery matters.
'They gave me a very fair response. They said if you feel like that, Gerald, why don't you come. I went back and explained to my dear wife Anne, and when she stopped hitting me and laughing and saying there was no question, we came for three years and stayed for over 13.
'I am grateful to [former] chief justice Yang [Ti Liang] who, though perhaps spitting blood through clenched teeth, eventually promoted me to the Court of Appeal. I have sat with some very nice people. It relieved me from the loneliness you sometimes feel as a judge sitting on your own.
