#JudicialIndependence #SeparationofPowers
HK Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma: Judicial Independence Must Be Separated from Politics, No One is Above the Law
The issue of separation of powers has sparked intense debate in Hong Kong as the authorities and Beijing loyalists refused to acknowledge its practice in Hong Kong.
In his speech at the ceremonial opening of Hong Kong Legal Week 2020, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal Geoffrey Ma reiterated the importance of not politicizing the independent judiciary and court. As clearly stated in the Basic Law, Hong Kong enjoys independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. This means no one is above the law, nor can one interfere with court decision. All adjudications must comply strictly with the law, and uphold the principles of equality, equity and fairness.
Geoffrey Ma also pointed out that the rule of law had always been an important core value of Hong Kong, which warranted careful protection, and society could not bear the risk of losing it.
He asked the public to dismiss misconceptions and misunderstanding about rule of law in order to protect it. He believed that law should be predictable, stable and clear, and judicial decision should be open to the public.
Ma stated that according to the Basic Law, the non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal and lawyers from other common law jurisdictions could practice in Hong Kong.
Source: Stand News #Nov2
#RuleofLaw #GeoffreyMa #LegalWeek #Speech
HK Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma: Judicial Independence Must Be Separated from Politics, No One is Above the Law
The issue of separation of powers has sparked intense debate in Hong Kong as the authorities and Beijing loyalists refused to acknowledge its practice in Hong Kong.
In his speech at the ceremonial opening of Hong Kong Legal Week 2020, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal Geoffrey Ma reiterated the importance of not politicizing the independent judiciary and court. As clearly stated in the Basic Law, Hong Kong enjoys independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. This means no one is above the law, nor can one interfere with court decision. All adjudications must comply strictly with the law, and uphold the principles of equality, equity and fairness.
Geoffrey Ma also pointed out that the rule of law had always been an important core value of Hong Kong, which warranted careful protection, and society could not bear the risk of losing it.
He asked the public to dismiss misconceptions and misunderstanding about rule of law in order to protect it. He believed that law should be predictable, stable and clear, and judicial decision should be open to the public.
Ma stated that according to the Basic Law, the non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal and lawyers from other common law jurisdictions could practice in Hong Kong.
Source: Stand News #Nov2
#RuleofLaw #GeoffreyMa #LegalWeek #Speech