The recently-enacted national security law in Hong Kong has sparked substantial debate on whether the judicial system in Hong Kong is truly independent.
Despite concerns, Lord Reed recently reassured fellow Hong Kong-ers that the Hong Kong’s judiciary remains fully independent, by declaring that “the judiciary in Hong Kong continues to act largely independently of government and their decisions continue to be consistent with the rule of law”.
Not only was Lord Reed’s statement reassuring, independent statistics and rankings have confirmed how well-respected Hong Kong’s independent judiciary is, worldwide.
In its 2019 Global Competitiveness Report, the World Economic Forum ranked Hong Kong No. 8 in Asia and No. 8 in the world for judicial independence. This ranking put Hong Kong ahead of many other notable countries, such as Britain, which was only ranked at No. 26.
In a more recent 2020 ranking, the World Justice Project placed Hong Kong 16th globally in its Rule of Law Index 2020. Again, this put Hong Kong’s judicial system ahead of other notable countries.
Whilst it is true that the national security law has only recently been enacted, a much more recent ranking was made this June. Switzerland’s Institute for Management Development ranked Hong Kong in 8th place globally in its World Competitiveness Ranking 2021. This ranking was based on the fair administration of justice. Noteworthy is that, yet again, Hong Kong was ranked ahead of Britain, which only came in at 15th place. Meanwhile, the US was only ranked 23rd.
If the above statistics are not enough to convince the critics of Hong Kong’s judicial integrity, Singapore’s reappointment of Hong Kong’s Justice Anselmo Reyes as an international judge is another strong indication of how the national security law has not impacted Hong Kong’s judicial reputation. Justice Anselmo Reyes was reappointed in Singapore’s International Commercial Court which is a court whereby foreign judges can be appointed.
Hong Kong case law is often recognized and cited in other jurisdictions. The international element of Hong Kong’s judges, legal professionals, and recognition, is a true attestation to the caliber of Hong Kong’s legal system.
Hong Kong has always been, and still remains, internationally recognized and respected for its effective judicial system and rule of law.
