Hong Kong – Appointments to Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission

Jun 23, 2023 | International

Appointments to Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission

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     The Government announced today (June 23) that the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Carlson Tong and reappointed Mr Victor Dawes, SC, and Ms Melissa Kaye Pang as members of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission (the Commission) for the period from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025. 

     Meanwhile, Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei, a serving member of the Commission, will retire from the Commission on June 30, 2023.

     “We wish to express our gratitude to Ms Anita Fung Yuen-mei for her invaluable advice rendered to the Commission during her term of office, and for her contribution to upholding Hong Kong’s judicial independence,” a Government spokesman said.

     The functions of the Commission are to advise or make recommendations to the Chief Executive regarding the filling of vacancies in judicial offices, representations from a judicial officer concerning conditions of service referred to it by the Chief Executive, and any matter affecting judicial officers which may be prescribed or which the Chief Executive may refer to it.

     The membership list with effect from July 1, 2023, is as follows:

Ex-officio Chairman
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Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal

Members
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Secretary for Justice (ex-officio member)
Mr Justice Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor
Madam Justice Carlye Chu Fun-ling
Mr Victor Dawes, SC
Ms Melissa Kaye Pang
Mr Carlson Tong
Professor Liu Pak-wai
Mrs Pamela Chan Wong Shui

Development of Judicial Infrastructure

Dec 8, 2022 | Business


The development of infrastructure facilities for the  judiciary in the States, including facilities essential for differently-abled persons, is the responsibility of the State Governments. The Central Government augments the resources of the State Governments by releasing financial assistance under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the development of judicial infrastructure by providing financial assistance to state governments / UTs in the prescribed fund-sharing pattern between Centre and States. The scheme is being implemented since 1993-94. It covers the construction of court buildings and residential accommodations for judicial officers of district and subordinate judiciary. As against the sanctioned strength of 24,982 and working strength of 19,251 judges/judicial officers there are 21,140 court halls and 18,547 residential units available as on 31.10.2022.


A sum of Rs. 9291.79 crores has been released under the Scheme so far since its inception, out of which Rs. 5847.48 crore (62.93 %) has been released since 2014-15.  The scheme has been extended from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 9000 crores including central share of Rs. 5307.00 crore. Besides the construction of court halls and residential quarters, the scheme now also covers the construction of lawyers’ halls, digital computer rooms and toilet complexes in the district and subordinate Courts. The scheme guidelines also include the Norms and Specifications for the Court Buildings which suggests the state governments to comply with the existing standards for disabled friendly people, while preparing the construction plan for ongoing court complexes and facilities and the new projects.


This information was given by the Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.


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Hong Kong – GBA Judicial Case Seminar to advance building of rule of law in GBA (with photos)

Apr 23, 2022 | International

GBA Judicial Case Seminar to advance building of rule of law in GBA (with photos)

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     The Department of Justice (DoJ) together with the High People’s Court of Guangdong Province, the Judiciary and the Macao Court of Final Appeal jointly organised the 2nd Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Judicial Case Seminar today (April 23), with a view to enhancing judicial exchanges amongst the three places and contributing to the building of a law-based business environment in the GBA.

 

     The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, said in her opening remarks that the GBA is one of the most open and economically vibrant regions in China. While maintaining the unique advantages of “one country, two systems and three jurisdictions” in the GBA, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao need to continuously explore through legal and judicial co-operation the further removal of regional conflicts of laws.



     In 2019, the High People’s Court of Guangdong Province and the DoJ signed a framework arrangement on exchange and mutual learning in legal aspects in the GBA to facilitate the courts in Guangdong and the legal sector in Hong Kong to launch projects on legal aspects for mutual exchanges and collaboration and to jointly build and enhance the judicial services and safeguards in the GBA. In July last year, the Supreme People’s Court and the DoJ also signed a record of meeting on further enhancement of exchanges and co-operation which supports the better integration of Hong Kong into the country’s overall development. Both parties agreed to study ways to improve the legal regulatory interface and connectivity within the GBA.

 

     The seminar brought together judges, lawyers and scholars from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to share their insights. Mock trials were conducted according to the different modes of trial in the three places but based on the same set of case facts. Through discussions and exchanges, participants gained a better understanding of the similarities and differences amongst the three places in relation to the resolution of cross-boundary commercial disputes. This is beneficial to the three places in jointly resolving practical legal issues which arise in the course of the development of the GBA and in facilitating the building of the rule of law in the GBA.

 

     The seminar today was held in hybrid mode with venues set up in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao respectively. In addition to mock trials, it also comprised thematic sessions on various topics.

Judicial Candidate Endorsed by Conservative PAC

Apr 11, 2022 | Business

 Williamson County Juvenile Judge Candidate Connie Reguli has recently been endorsed by Williamson Families and Tennessee Republican Assembly. Reguli seeks to unseat incumbent Sharon Guffee who was appointed to that position in 2013 when the local juvenile court was created. Reguli, who has been an attorney in Middle Tennessee for twenty-eight years, has worked to represent families in the complex court system and has vigorously advocated for changes in the family court and child welfare system. Her presentation as an advocate for change has caused considerable push-back from the bureaucrats and establishment.

Recently, the Williamson Families PAC and the Tennessee Republican Assembly have endorsed her candidacy as an embodiment for reform in a system that does not serve the community well. Each organization has screened and vetted Reguli, reviewing her efforts for epic change. Williamson Families is driven by a commitment to families and engaging the community with more decision-making that affects local families, businesses, and children’s education. Their website is located at www.williamson-families.org.

Williamson Families has selected a slate of candidates that they believe stand for leadership that promotes academic excellence and who will practice transparent accountability and fiscal responsibility. They have selected candidates that reflect these ideals and demonstrate integrity, wisdom, and service to the community.

The Tennessee Republican Assembly is a chapter of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies who is striving to reclaim the Republican Party for conservatives. Their mission is to reform the party back to its conservative values and restore republicans faith in the GOP.

Reguli has been active with the Tennessee Republican Assembly for the last five years serving as a board member and as legal counsel.

Reguli has worked with families all across the State of Tennessee. She has lobbied for changes in the laws affecting children and families in the Tennessee General Assembly and Congress. She organized citizen lobbyists to campaign for child welfare reform laws which resulted in the Family First Act in 2018.

Early voting for the Republican primary for county officials begins April 13. The final election day is May 3. Williamson County now used voting locations instead of precincts, making it easier for citizens to vote.

Campaign to Elect Connie Reguli

Connie Reguli

615-661-0122

www.connieforjudge.org

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Hong Kong – Judicial appointments

Nov 25, 2021 | International

Judicial appointments

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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     The Judiciary today (November 25) announced the appointment of His Honour Judge Johnny Chan Jong-herng and Miss Anna Lai Yuen-kee, SC, as Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court. The appointments will take effect from November 26, 2021.

     The appointments are made by the Chief Executive on the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission.

     The biographical notes of the two appointees are as follows:

His Honour Judge Johnny Chan Jong-herng

     His Honour Judge Chan was born in 1964 in Hong Kong. He obtained LL.B. and P.C.LL. from the University of Hong Kong in 1987 and 1988 respectively. He was called to the Bar in Hong Kong in 1988 and was in private practice between 1989 and 2002. He was appointed as Permanent Magistrate in 2002 and as District Judge in 2012.
 
Miss Anna Lai Yuen-kee, SC

     Miss Lai, SC, was born in 1958 in Hong Kong. She obtained LL.B. and P.C.LL. from the University of Hong Kong in 1990 and 1991 respectively. She was called to the Bar in Hong Kong in 1991. She was appointed as Senior Counsel in 2016. She joined the then Legal Department as Crown Counsel in 1992 and was promoted to Senior Crown Counsel in 1995. She was promoted to Deputy Principal Government Counsel and Principal Government Counsel in the Department of Justice in 2011 and 2017 respectively. She left the department in 2019 and has been in private practice since then. She was appointed as Deputy Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court for periods in 2020 and 2021. She has been appointed as Deputy Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court again since November 2021.