Political newcomer says affiliation will not lessen part-time judges' impartiality
The Civic Party yesterday defended its membership, which includes part-time judges, saying their political affiliation would not compromise impartiality.
The party membership of around 130 includes High Court Recorder Jacqueline Leong and barrister Thomas Au Hing-cheung, who completed his four-week appointment as a deputy district judge last month.
Ms Leong is one of the most senior barristers in Hong Kong and a former Bar Association chairwoman. She was previously appointed Recorder in 1997 and her current three-year term is due to end in November. But the Judiciary says she is only required to sit in court four weeks each year. Other party members include media commentators, academics and professionals.
The newly formed pro-democracy party, established in March, has declined to reveal the full list of its members on privacy grounds. The disclosure of a list of members by the weekly Eastweek yesterday has fuelled concerns over the impartiality of part-time judges as well as privacy concerns.
Ronny Tong Ka-wah, a core member of the Civic Party, said both Ms Leong and Mr Au were only part-time judges and there was no conflict of interest.