The Chief Justice of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal is the head of the Hong Kong Judiciary. As its most senior member, the Chief Justice presides when he is sitting as part of the Court or Appeal Committee.
There are three permanent judges. When a vacancy arises, the Chief Executive acting in accordance with the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission shall as soon as reasonably possible after the office becomes vacant appoint another permanent judge to fill the vacancy.
There are two panels of non-permanent judges, one consisting of former Hong Kong judges and the other consisting of eminent judges from other common law jurisdictions. The total number of non-permanent judges is capped at 30 under the HKCFA Ordinance.
The Chief Justice and other judges of the Court are appointed by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission.
In accordance with the Basic Law, the Chief Executive is required to obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council for the appointment of the Chief Justice and other judges of the Court and to report the appointment to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People's Republic of China.
For information about the Chief Justice, permanent judges and non-permanent judges of the Court, click here.
For information about the former judges of the Court, click here.