The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Cheung Ju-nang, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the legal year yesterday, saying that the primary role of the courts is to uphold the rule of law and execute judicial work in strict accordance with the law. Zhang Guan also said that even though court judgments sometimes inevitably have political impacts, the function of the courts is not to formulate public policy or make political decisions.
Zhang Guan mentioned yesterday that if the society misunderstands the functions of the judiciary or makes people have unrealistic expectations regarding it, it is not conducive to maintaining public confidence in Hong Kong’s judicial system, nor is it conducive to maintaining the rule of law. Although the judgment made by the court following weighing various factors may not be satisfactory to everyone, it does not mean that the court has not performed judicial work fairly and justly.
In addition, Zhang Guan revealed that the judiciary is actively discussing live broadcasting of selected judicial procedures in order to further increase the transparency of court procedures and enhance public confidence. The goal is to implement some procedures or at certain court levels this year.
Zhang Juneng also said that the court is also considering setting up a timetable, stipulating that all litigants with legal representation, except for specific exemptions, must conduct proceedings in electronic form.
Lin Dingguo Criticizes Law Expansion Theory as “Nonsense”
Secretary for Justice Lam Ting-kwok said in his speech at the ceremony that he cited opinions that the latest interpretation by the National People’s Congress expands the powers of the Chief Executive and the National Security Council, undermines the independent judicial power of the judiciary, and even overrides the law. He described the comments as “completely false nonsense”.
Zhang Juneng said following the ceremony that he respects the power of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to interpret the law. He also pointed out that whether overseas lawyers can participate in the trial has always been subject to the approval of the court. It is unknown that the failure of overseas lawyers to participate in the trial in Hong Kong will affect the fairness of the trial.
Originally published on AM730 https://www.am730.com.hk/Local/The court intends to broadcast live this year-Zhang Juneng-Adjudicating controversial non-political decisions/357552?utm_source=yahoorss&utm_medium=referral
