2 January 2020
(for immediate release)
The Hong Kong Bar Association and The Law Society of Hong Kong note media reports referring to the abusive graffiti against a named judge on the High Court building on 1 January 2020. The graffiti are outrageous and firmly condemned.
Article 85 of the Basic Law provides that the courts of Hong Kong shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. The analysis and reasoning on which a court makes a decision are set out in detail in a judgment. The proper procedure for challenging a court's decision is by way of an appeal.
Abusive comments implying that judicial decisions were made or influenced by political considerations are wholly unjustified. Any attempt to insult, threaten and bring public pressure on a judge because of decisions made in the course of performing judicial duties is to be deplored as an affront to the rule of law and judicial integrity.
The Law Society of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong Bar Association strongly deplore these criminal acts and reiterate their joint commitment to defend the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong.
About the Law Society of Hong Kong
The Law Society of Hong Kong is the professional body of solicitors in Hong Kong vested with statutory powers to regulate the professional conduct of solicitors, trainee solicitors and foreign lawyers. It establishes and promotes good standards of practice and ensures their compliance by practitioners. The Law Society also offers its views from time to time on legal issues that are of public concern and promotes Hong Kong legal services locally and internationally. For more information, please visit:
www.hklawsoc.org.hk
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