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Hong KongLaw and Crime

Let Hong Kong judges serve till 70 years old and magistrates till 65, government says in Legco plan

Judiciary proposals targeting manpower shortage in city’s courts could be passed within legislative year

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Under the plan, judges serving on Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal would not need to retire until 70. Photo: Sam Tsang
Alvin Lum

Judges in Hong Kong will be allowed to serve until they are 70, and magistrates till 65, after officials backed a plan to extend their retirement age to address a manpower shortage in the city’s courts.

The judiciary hoped the proposal could prolong the service of judges “as long as practicable” and lure lawyers to the bench, a government paper submitted to the Legislative Council said.

In the paper, officials supported the judiciary’s mandatory retirement proposals, calling them “reasonable and essential” to sustain manpower across different levels of the city’s courts.

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“This will enable the retention of experienced senior judges, and attract experienced and quality private practitioners to join the bench,” it said.

The pay gap between High Court judges and lawyers in Hong Kong private sector stood at 60 per cent in 2015. Photo: Felix Wong
The pay gap between High Court judges and lawyers in Hong Kong private sector stood at 60 per cent in 2015. Photo: Felix Wong
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The government hoped the proposal could be passed into law before the current legislative session ends in July next year.

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