Heaps of documents, endless trials: the herculean workload of Hong Kong’s judges
My 18-year-old summer intern is very scared of me. She spent the entire week watching me sit in front of my computer, in complete silence, motionless except for the occasional click of the mouse to move to the next electronic document, and barely breathing. She told me this could not be further from what she imagined a barrister’s life to be. And there was one thing she was particularly puzzled…
In Hong Kong, judges face an overwhelming workload due to the sheer volume of documents generated in civil litigation. Over 40,000 pages of documents were involved in a single case, a stark contrast to the 300 or 400 pages typically seen in an average half-day court hearing in 2004. This surge in document count is attributed to technological advancements that capture human interactions and the escalating complexity of commercial activities in Hong Kong, a global financial hub.
Contracts related to business investments, acquisitions, and financing arrangements often run into hundreds of pages, including master agreements, shareholders' agreements, and various other legal documents. The creation of complex structures to manage risk in financial transactions further compounds the paperwork. Despite the growing caseload, the number of judges hearing civil matters in Hong Kong has only slightly increased - from 25 in 2004 to 26 in 2026, with only 15 judges currently presiding over civil cases.
Each case involves multiple hearings, from routine extensions of court deadlines to complex procedural steps that could impact the case's outcome. Judges in Hong Kong operate independently, with no assistance from assistants or other judges, and must render decisions based solely on the law and the evidence presented in court. Their dedication and commitment are crucial in maintaining Hong Kong's renowned judicial system.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
