Top Scottish judge appointed to Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal in move seen as bid to assure public on judicial independence

Justice Patrick Hodge serves as deputy president of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

Hodge’s appointment comes after sudden departure of judge James Spigelman, who resigned over national security law concerns

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Justice Patrick Hodge is to join Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal as a non-permanent judge. Photo: Warton Li

Published: 12:27pm, 5 Oct 2020Updated: 11:42pm, 5 Oct 2020

A top Scottish judge has been appointed to Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal following the controversial resignation of an Australian judge last month over the Beijing-imposed national security law.

The government announced in a statement on Monday that Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor had accepted the recommendation to appoint Mr Justice Patrick Hodge, who serves as the deputy president of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction.

The number of overseas judges on Hong Kong’s top court was reduced to 13 from 14 following the resignation of Australian judge Mr Justice James Spigelman due to concerns over the contents of the national security law.

It was not made clear if Hodge was brought in to directly replace Spigelman, although analysts noted the timing of the appointment, with one saying the move by Lam marked her bid to reassure the public that the city’s judicial independence remained her top priority.

Hodge’s appointment will be confirmed once the Legislative Council endorses the recommendation of the independent Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission.

Justice Patrick Hodge is deputy president of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Photo: Handout

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