Geoffrey Ma says judges expressing political views in public risks compromising impartiality

Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, said a judge or judicial officer who expresses in public unwarranted or unnecessary political views risks compromising the appearance of impartiality and ability to hear any cases in which one’s political stance may reasonably be regarded as relevant.

Ma made the remarks in a statement today regarding the Reasons for Sentence delivered by District Court judge Kwok Wai-kin in a "Lennon Wall" attack case last month.

Tour guide Tony Hung Chung, 50, who admitted to stabbing three people with a knife in front of a "Lennon Wall" in Tseung Kwan O in August last year, was sentenced to 45 months of imprisonment by Kwok on April 24. Kwok praised Hung for "showing noble qualities" while also expressing sympathy for him and comparing protesters to terrorists.

The Chief District Judge, Justin Ko King-sau, had barred him from handling protest-related cases for the time being.

"The due administration of justice by an independent and impartial judiciary is the cornerstone of the rule of law in Hong Kong. Judges have a responsibility under the Basic Law, owed to the community, to exercise independent judicial power by adjudicating on cases fairly and impartially, without fear or favor. It should be emphasized again that everyone is equal before the law," Ma said.

"The Reasons for Sentence have caused controversy in that there is a risk that some reasonable, fair minded and well informed persons could reasonably take the view that the aforesaid principles may have been compromised in that a wrong perception was given," he said.

Ma said he has also spoken to and reminded Kwok of the important principles in discharging his judicial duties, and that Kwok agreed with him.