Veteran Australian judge Murray Gleeson retires from HK’s top court, cites age as reason

A veteran Australian judge has retired from Hong Kong’s top court, citing his age as the reason for his retirement.

Gleeson, 85, former Chief Justice of Australia, was appointed as a non-permanent judge of Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal in 2009.

He previously presided over pro-democracy activist Tonyee Chow Hang-tung’s appeal where Chow appealed against her 15-month jail term for taking part in a banned June 4 vigil.

Read more: Activist Tonyee Chow sees 15-month jail term over calls to banned vigil upheld

Following Gleeson’s retirement, Hong Kong is left with nine other non-permanent judges, aged between 71 and 89.

Hong Kong previously saw two UK judges resign from the city’s top court, citing concerns over the 2020 national security law imposed by China.

Read more: UK judges quit HK's highest court