Hong Kong judiciary considers raising retirement age for judges by five years to 70
The move follows pay rises for judges as the sector faces competition from the better paid private sector and retirement
The judiciary is exploring a proposal to push back the retirement age for judges from 65 to 70 in a bid to tackle the persistent manpower shortage in local courts and an increasing brain drain exacerbated by a greying bench, the Post has learned.
The effort coincides with a suggestion to tap the talent pool of the city’s prosecutors’ office to attract those eyeing a career change as they are more likely to switch over than private lawyers, who could be put off by a huge pay cut.
A spokesman for the judiciary said: “ The judiciary has engaged a consultant to carry out a consultancy study to review the statutory retirement ages of judges and judicial officers, and to collect views from stakeholders.”
The study is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year, and if adopted, would make the retirement age for judges one of the oldest among all government posts. The retirement age for newly recruited civil servants has been increased to 65, while those working in the disciplined services have to leave at 60.