HK extends term of veteran judge Roberto Ribeiro beyond retirement age

The Legislative Council has approved a resolution to reappoint 76-year-old Court of Final Appeal judge Roberto Ribeiro for another three-year term, despite his exceeding the mandatory retirement age, to ensure continuity in the city’s top court.

The decision to extend Ribeiro’s tenure as a permanent judge was recommended by the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, which considered the succession planning needs of the Court of Final Appeal and the High Court over the coming years, as well as Ribeiro’s extensive judicial experience. 

The recommendation was forwarded to the Chief Executive for approval. Among the court’s four permanent judges, Ribeiro is the only one who has reached the statutory retirement age of 70. 

The other three, including Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung and judges Joseph Paul Fok and Johnson Lam Man-hon, are still six to seven years away from that threshold. Under existing laws, Ribeiro is eligible for one further reappointment, potentially allowing him to serve until age 82, aligning his tenure with his colleagues.

Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki stated that his reappoinment is crucial for maintaining the high standards of the Court of Final Appeal, with Hong Kong’s independent judicial authority, as enshrined in the Basic Law, emphasized as a cornerstone of the city’s legal system. 

Ribeiro’s extensive experience was highlighted as vital to the court’s effective operation.

Lawmaker Ambrose Lam San-keung stated that Ribeiro, who has served as a permanent judge since 2000, has been involved in several high-profile cases that have shaped Hong Kong’s legal and social landscape. 

These include cases involving significant public interest, such as those related to political activism, same-sex partnership rights, and other contentious issues that sparked widespread debate. 

While acknowledging that differing values and political perspectives may lead to varied opinions on judicial rulings, the importance of upholding the rule of law and judicial independence was stressed as paramount.