THREE expatriates and one Hongkong Chinese have been appointed to the Appeal and High Courts in the latest judicial reshuffle, coming at a time when the territory's judges are seeking to accelerate the pace of localisation.
London Silk Michael Stuart-Moore, Deputy Supreme Court Registrar Mr Justice Chan and former Bar Association chairman Anthony Rogers QC were appointed to the High Court.
High Court Judge Mr Justice Mortimer was appointed to the Court of Appeal.
Legislative Council legal representative Simon Ip Sik-on said Hongkong must welcome the arrival of foreign judges to the High Court at a time when it could not attract enough locals.
Mr Ip said it was clear that Hongkong would struggle to produce the three or four new High Court judges each year until 1997.
Bigger private practice earnings, a young, eager Bar and uncertainty of judicial independence under an authoritarian China would keep top barristers on the other side of the bench.
''Obviously, we must encourage locals but when we have difficulty in recruitment we should actively recruit from the Commonwealth,'' Mr Ip said.
