Hong Kong judges and judicial officers set for 2% pay rise following last year’s freeze

Judicial officers and judges in Hong Kong are set to receive a 2% salary increase for the current financial year, following a pay freeze implemented last year due to the city's growing deficit. This decision comes after an annual review of salaries for judges, magistrates, coroners, court registrars, and officials working in the Labour Tribunal, Small Claims Tribunal, and Competition Tribunal.

The Standing Committee on Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service conducted the review, taking into account factors such as workload, private sector pay trends, and the state of Hong Kong's economy. No major changes were observed in judges' responsibilities or working conditions, but the committee highlighted the increasing number of complex cases related to the 2019 protests and national security legislation, which have put a strain on the judiciary.

Despite this, the High Court expects the impact on other cases to improve in the coming years. The current annual review mechanism for judges' salaries has been in place since 2008, with five years of no adjustments during the global financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the city's third consecutive budget deficit. This year's 2% increase is the smallest since the review mechanism began, ranging from 2.5% in 2022 to nearly 7% in 2014.

In April, the government reported a surplus of HK$11.2 billion for the financial year that ended in March, significantly more than the initial forecast of HK$2.9 billion.