Australian judge William Gummow dies aged 83 after decade on Hong Kong’s top court

Australian judge William Gummow passed away at the age of 83 after a tenure on Hong Kong’s top court. He had been serving on the city’s apex court since 2013. Born in 1942, Gummow initially practiced as a solicitor for ten years before being called to the New South Wales Bar in 1976. He joined the Federal Court of Australia in 1986 before becoming a High Court judge from 1995 to 2012. In 1997, he received the Companion of the Order of Australia honor. His final appearance on Hong Kong’s top court was in May.

Gummow’s contributions to Hong Kong’s jurisprudence were highly appreciated, with both the Judiciary and the Hong Kong Bar Association expressing condolences to his family. The High Court of Australia also planned a ceremonial sitting to honor him, acknowledging his deep knowledge, analytical approach, and collegiate spirit in the legal community.

The presence of overseas non-permanent judges on Hong Kong’s top court has been a subject of debate amid recent resignations. In April, Australian judge Robert French criticized the role as "increasingly anachronistic and arguably cosmetic." He was the sixth foreign judge to leave Hong Kong’s highest court since the beginning of 2024.

Other departing judges include Anthony Murray Gleeson, Jonathan Sumption, Lawrence Collins, Beverley McLachlin, and Nicholas Phillips. Critics argue that the judges’ roles are becoming less relevant due to the political environment shaped by China. Former judges like Sumption have expressed concerns over the erosion of political freedoms in Hong Kong.

Despite the resignations, Hong Kong’s justice chief maintains that the departures are not about the number of judges but their international reputation.