The latest news and top stories on Esther Toh Lye-ping. A Madam Justice of the High Court of Hong Kong, she is a designated judge for national security law cases. Born in Singapore, she was called to the English and Hong Kong Bars in the mid-1970s, entering private practice before becoming a District Judge in 1997. Elevated to the Court of First Instance in 2012, her work involves presiding over high-profile national security trials, notably Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's. She has made significant bail rulings and was part of the panel for Hong Kong's first national security law verdict, showcasing expertise in this complex legal area.