High Court redevelopment plan ‘not workable’, Hong Kong Bar Association warns
The Hong Kong Bar Association has warned that a proposed phased redevelopment of the High Court, which could span more than a decade, is “not workable” and risks deterring legal practitioners from joining the bench. The association, the professional body for barristers, urged the government to consider faster alternatives, such as repurposing the existing District Court building. In an exclusive…
The Hong Kong Bar Association has cautioned that the proposed phased redevelopment of the High Court over a decade is impractical and may dissuade legal professionals from joining the judiciary. The association's chairman, Jose-Antonio Maurellet SC, suggested the government consider alternative solutions, such as repurposing the existing District Court building or providing judges with an ex gratia pay rise to attract top-tier practitioners from the private sector.
Key issues highlighted include a lack of courtrooms and manpower shortages, leading to bottlenecks in judicial efficiency and trial turnaround times. The government's proposal involves merging the 41-year-old High Court Building in Admiralty with the nearby Queensway Government Offices, a process that could stretch over 20 years due to its complexity.
Maurellet stressed that a more expedient approach is necessary to address judicial manpower shortages and maintain Hong Kong's reputation as a dispute resolution center.
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.
