Controversial Hong Kong judge asks to retire after her handling of cases criticised by higher courts
- Court of First Instance judge asks to retire at 66, despite earlier decision to extend time on the bench to 70
- Move comes after errors lead to quashing of rape conviction and premature end to three drug trafficking trials
A controversial Hong Kong judge has asked for early retirement after she came under fire for the premature abandonment of three drug trafficking trials and the mishandling of another case which led to the quashing of a rape conviction.
Court of First Instance judge Audrey Campbell-Moffat, 66, has given Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung a one-year early retirement notice despite her earlier decision to extend her time until she was 70.
“Mrs Justice Campbell-Moffat informed the chief justice in early August this year that she would take early retirement in August 2023,” a judiciary spokesman confirmed on Wednesday.
Campbell-Moffat’s resignation came on the heels of criticism of her by senior colleagues during court sessions in late July, where the Department of Justice asked for clarification on points of law regarding the proper handling of a criminal trial.
She was found to have usurped the role of the jury and dismissed two drug trafficking cases before jurors could deliberate.