The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has expressed regret at the resignation of Justice Robert French as a non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA).

French, a non-permanent judge from other common law jurisdictions of the CFA, tendered his resignation to the chief executive, according to the Judiciary.

The Judiciary said it is grateful to French for his valuable contributions to the work of the CFA and his support for the rule of law in Hong Kong during his tenure.

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In his resignation letter to the CE, French expressed great respect for the judicial officers of the SAR as well as their independence and integrity, adding that he felt honored to have worked with them, according to the government.

The long-time presence of esteemed judges from overseas as non-permanent judges of the CFA, participating in hearings of the court, is conducive to the international legal environment and the development of the jurisprudence of common law in Hong Kong, said the government.

Their continued participation alongside permanent judges speaks to the enduring strength and resilience of the court, it added.

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Noting the judicial system of the HKSAR is protected by the Basic Law, the government said the city is vested with independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication and that the courts exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.

It emphasized that the presence or absence of individual judges will not undermine the integrity of the system nor impair the SAR government’s determination in upholding the rule of law.

Upon French’s departure, there are nine non-permanent judges comprising four non-permanent Hong Kong judges and five non-permanent judges from common law jurisdictions the United Kingdom and Australia in the CFA.

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The Judiciary stressed that in light of the steady caseload, the operation of the CFA will not be affected by the recent change in membership of the court. It will continue to identify suitable local and overseas candidates for appointment as non-permanent judges, it added.

The HKSAR government indicated its full support to the Judiciary in the continuous efforts to appoint and retain foreign non-permanent judges in the future, and will endeavor to capitalize on the city’s common law system, upholding the rule of law in Hong Kong.