New panel dismisses complaints two Hong Kong magistrates biased in cases related to 2019 protests
- Both cases, related to social unrest in 2019, involved a ‘massive number’ of complaints and had attracted wide public attention, judiciary says
- Chief justice concludes complaints against the pair were not substantiated after considering reports and advice of committee
A new committee handling complaints against judicial officers in Hong Kong has dismissed its first two cases, clearing one magistrate of favouring an anti-government protester and another of bias towards police.
“In advising the chief justice that the two complaints were not substantiated, the advisory committee noted that they both alleged bias against the judicial officers concerned,” it said
“After a detailed examination of the relevant facts and circumstances, the complaints were considered to be unfounded.”
The nine-member Advisory Committee on Complaints against Judicial Conduct, composed of five senior judges, a lawyer and three laypeople, was formed in August to give the public a say in disciplinary matters related to the bench, amid a flurry of complaints over the handling of protest cases.
