UK judges’ future on Hong Kong’s top court cast into doubt
- Britain’s top judge voiced concerns over Beijing’s new national security law in Hong Kong and said the UK will ‘continue to assess the position in Hong Kong’
- ‘Losing our foreign judges on the CFA in this way would lead to a crisis of confidence in our judicial system,’ warns one law professor
Robert Reed, president of the UK Supreme Court, also shed light on the risk that Hong Kong may not have a British judge serving on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (CFA) in the future.
“The new security law contains a number of provisions which give rise to concerns. Its effect will depend upon how it is applied in practice. That remains to be seen,” Reed said in a subtle but firm statement on Friday.
“Whether judges of the [UK] Supreme Court can continue to serve as judges in Hong Kong will depend on whether such service remains compatible with judicial independence and the rule of law,” Reed said, adding that his court “will continue to assess the position in Hong Kong as it develops, in discussion with the UK government”.
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Hong Kong hotel becomes home to Beijing’s new national security office in the city
His high-profile intervention laid bare concerns within the British judicial circle over the implication of Beijing’s move on Hong Kong’s rule of law, which has for decades underlined the city’s success and shored up business confidence.