- Top judge says he will be 65 by then, his intended age to step down and spend more time with family
- Decision comes as city’s courts face intense scrutiny over handling of cases involving ongoing anti-government protests
Hong Kong's judiciary has announced that Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li will retire in January 2021, confirming an earlier exclusive report by the Post , with the top judge confident his successor will uphold the city's rule of law and judicial independence.
In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, a spokesman for the judiciary said Ma, who took his position in 2010, had informed Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor of his intention to retire.
Ma said the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary were cornerstones of the city's communities, adding that his retirement at age 65 was in the best interests of the judiciary, according to the spokesman.
Separately, Lam also paid tribute to Ma for his sterling contribution to Hong Kong's judiciary.
The spokesman said it would take at least nine months to complete the necessary constitutional procedures for the appointment of the next chief justice. "It is hoped that the process can be completed by the summer of 2020, thereby allowing sufficient time to facilitate a smooth transition."
Ma said on Thursday: "Proper succession planning is of vital importance. My retirement will be conducive for the orderly succession planning in the judiciary.
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"By January 2021, I will have completed more than 10 years' service as chief justice and nearly 20 years as a judge. I consider it appropriate for there to be a change in the leadership of the judiciary after such a period."
The Post reported earlier on Thursday that Ma would step down as the city's most senior judge upon turning 65 in January 2021, with Mr Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung tipped to succeed him.
The revelation came at a time when the city's courts are under intense public scrutiny over the handling of cases involving those arrested amid Hong Kong's increasingly violent protests.
The social unrest, now into its fifth month, was sparked by the now-withdrawn extradition bill but has since morphed into a wider anti-government movement.
Ma's departure would also mean Hong Kong's top court could lose two veteran judges within a year, with Mr Justice Roberto Ribeiro expected to retire in March next year, when he turns 71. Four judges sit permanently on the Court of Final Appeal, including the chief justice.
Ma said he was confident his successor would carry on the mission of upholding the rule of law and maintaining the independence of the judiciary in Hong Kong.
"As I have stated many times before, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary are cornerstones of our community," he said. "The work of our courts means that judges strictly adhere to the law and the spirit of the law. No other factors will influence the work of the courts.
"Retiring at 65 is also consistent with my personal wishes as I would like to spend more time with my family. I made this decision when I turned 63 in January," the chief justice said.
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"I consider it to have been the greatest honour in my life to be able to serve the Hong Kong community and to lead the judiciary. This I will continue to do until my last day in office," Ma said.
Once the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission has put forward its suggestion for a new chief justice, the city's leader will then seek the Legislative Council's endorsement and report the appointment to the National People's Congress Standing Committee, mainland China's top legislative body.
Andrew Cheung, 58, who was appointed as a permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal in October last year, is the front runner to take over, according to an insider.
On Thursday city leader Lam also expressed gratitude to Ma, saying: "I would like to thank Chief Justice Ma profusely for his exemplary leadership in maintaining the highest professional standards, in spearheading reforms and in enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the judiciary during his tenure.
"These are conducive to maintaining the continued international acclaim of Hong Kong's judicial system."
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