New Zealand judge gets nod from Hong Kong lawmakers to join top court
William Young will serve as non-permanent justice of Court of Final Appeal, the first foreigner to take up role in over a year
William Gillow Gibbes Austen Young, who retired as a permanent judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand in April 2022 after serving for 12 years, will join five other overseas non-permanent justices from common law jurisdictions at the Court of Final Appeal.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki told the Legislative Council on Wednesday that Young had “a high status and outstanding reputation”.
“His practice areas are very wide, covering criminal, competition law and taxation cases … [Young’s] appointment will make a great contribution to the work of the Court of Final Appeal,” the city’s No 2 official said.
Young is expected to begin his three-year term this month.
Chan added that the appointment of more non-permanent justices from common law jurisdictions would allow the apex court to handle different cases “more effectively and flexibly” and ensure its “effective operation”.