Hong Kong's top court is set to add a judge from New Zealand to its list of non-permanent judges, subject to approval by the legislature.
Justice William Young served as a permanent judge in the country's Supreme Court for 12 years before retiring in 2022.
In a statement released on Thursday, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung welcomed Chief Executive John Lee's acceptance of a recommendation to appoint Young.
Lee said the addition means eminent judges from the UK, Australia and New Zealand would continue to sit on the Court of Final Appeal's bench.
"He is a judge of eminent standing and reputation," Lee said in a statement.
"I am confident that he will contribute substantively to the Court of Final Appeal.
"[The participation of overseas judges] demonstrates a high degree of confidence in the HKSAR's judicial system and enables Hong Kong to maintain strong links with other common law jurisdictions."
Young would become the sixth serving non-permanent judge from overseas, on top of four such judges from Hong Kong.
The judiciary added that his addition would provide greater flexibility in dealing with the top court's caseload.
New Zealand judge set to join Court of Final Appeal
2025-05-08 HKT 18:19
