Seasoned jurist Andrew Cheung steps up as Hong Kong’s new chief justice amid political turmoil and pressure from Beijing

First Hong Kong graduate to head judiciary is said to be low profile, known for conservative decisions

Legal scholar says new chief justice is a ‘highly intelligent, patient judge’ who keeps an open mind

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Andrew Cheung will take over as Hong Kong’s next chief justice on Monday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 7:00am, 11 Jan 2021Updated: 7:23am, 11 Jan 2021

Andrew Cheung Kui-nung takes over as Hong Kong’s chief justice on Monday, and few have lavished more praise on him than his predecessor, Geoffrey Ma Tao-li.

Ma, who retired after 10 years as the city’s top judge, described Cheung as an able jurist, top administrator and a man more than capable of handling any challenges that come his way.

“I would not have left this office at all if I thought that nobody was suitable to take over from me. Somebody suitable and good will be taking over, probably better than I, and I am confident of the future,” Ma said at a farewell event last week.

The first Hong Kong law graduate to rise to become chief justice, Cheung will have to prove he can continue to uphold the rule of law in Hong Kong and maintain the independence of the courts, even as Beijing has proved increasingly willing to weigh in on the city’s judicial affairs.

Outgoing chief justice Geoffrey Ma (left) and Andrew Cheung are seen outside the Court of Final Appeal in Central. Photo: Sam Tsang

He takes office at a time when the effects of a national security law imposed by Beijing last June continue to spill across the city’s deeply divided political landscape, with some questioning the courts’ ability to stay above the fray.

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