Court of Appeal's Mr Justice Frank Stock retires

On his last day as a full-time judge in the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Frank Stock reminded the legal profession of its commitment to justice and independence.

"There are times when judgments go one way, times when they go another; times when some groups are happy with the judgments, times when they are not. That is how it works. That is the common by-product of independent judiciaries … in the very DNA of which rests a commitment to judge cases according to law, no more and no less," Stock (pictured) said at his farewell ceremony yesterday.

More than 200 people attended, including judges, lawyers and his family.

He also pressed the case for criminal justice reform, especially to minimise delays for those awaiting trial and to avoid wasting public funds in cases that drag on for too long.

Stock suggested that judges try calling people by their names rather than by "D1" (first defendant) and "PW1" (prosecution witness one) in judgments.

"This is not only dehumanising but also confusing. So I hope this suggestion will attract the support of the judge on my right [Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li], who is otherwise known as J1," said Stock, who is known for his sense of humour.