Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (JORC) on the appointment of the Honorable Mr. Geoffrey Ma (Mr. Justice Ma), Chief Judge of the High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal with effect from September 1.

“I am pleased to accept the JORC’s recommendation on the appointment of Mr. Justice Ma as the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal. Mr. Justice Ma is an outstanding lawyer with exceptional judicial, professional and personal qualities. He is a man of high integrity and commands strong respect within and outside the Judiciary, including that of the legal profession,” said Mr. Tsang.

Mr. Tsang noted that Justice Ma served with distinction as chief judge of the High Court for nearly seven years, with proven administrative and leadership qualities.

“An independent Judiciary has been and will remain a cornerstone of Hong Kong's stability and prosperity,” the Chief Executive added. “The people of Hong Kong have high expectations of the Judiciary in upholding the rule of law, ensuring the fair and efficient administration of justice and safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the individual. I am confident that Justice Ma will discharge his duties as head of the Judiciary with distinction.”

Article 88 of the Basic Law provides that the Chief Executive shall appoint judges of the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the recommendation of an independent commission composed of local judges, legal professionals and well-respected people from other sectors. The JORC consists of the incumbent chief justice, the Honorable Andrew Li as chairman, the Secretary for Justice and seven other members (two judges, one barrister appointed after consultation with the Bar Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association, one solicitor appointed after consultation with the Council of the Law Society of Hong Kong and three people not connected with the practice of law).

Article 90 of the Basic Law provides that the Chief Executive shall obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council on the appointments of Court of Final Appeal judges, including the chief justice. The administration will seek the Legislative Council’s endorsement of Justice Ma in due course.