Latest news with #Gummow
HKFP
a day ago
- Business
- HKFP
Australian judge William Gummow to stay on Hong Kong's top court for 3 more years
Australian justice William Gummow has extended his term as a visiting foreign judge on Hong Kong's top court for another three years, following a wave of resignations by his peers after Beijing's national security law came into force. Gummow will remain on the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) as a non-permanent judge from another common law jurisdiction until July 2028, the Judiciary announced on Friday. Non-permanent Hong Kong judges Frank Stock and Patrick Chan have also extended their terms by three years, with their new appointments beginning on September 1 and October 21, respectively. Their appointments were approved by Chief Executive John Lee, following a recommendation by Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, the top judge of the CFA. Since its establishment in 1997, the CFA has periodically invited judges from other common law jurisdictions to serve on its panel. The practice has long been seen as a vote of confidence from the international community in Hong Kong's judicial system, bolstering the city's reputation as a global financial and business hub. However, in recent years, the presence of overseas judges has come under scrutiny amid a wave of resignations following the introduction of the national security law in June 2020. The UK has also considered pulling its judges from Hong Kong's top court. Last month, Hong Kong's legislature approved the appointment of 73-year-old William Young from New Zealand as a non-permanent judge on the Court of Final Appeal, joining five other overseas judges from the UK and Australia. His profile has yet to appear on the court's official website. 'Cosmetic' In April, Australian judge Robert French resigned from Hong Kong's top court, saying the role of overseas non-permanent judges on the CFA had become 'increasingly anachronistic and arguably cosmetic.' He was the sixth foreign judge to depart Hong Kong's highest court since the start of last year. French said he continued to respect both local and overseas judges who remain on the bench for their integrity and independence. He also rejected claims that foreign judges were 'complicit' in enforcing the national security law or that their presence lent it 'spurious legitimacy.' Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong's mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The authorities say it restored stability and peace to the city, rejecting criticism from trade partners, the UN and NGOs.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Overseas judge sitting on Hong Kong's top court extends term for 3 more years
An overseas non-permanent judge of Hong Kong's top court has extended his term of office for another three years, following a number of resignations from other foreign justices in recent years. The judiciary announced on Friday that Justice William Gummow, an Australian who joined the Court of Final Appeal in 2013, and two other local non-permanent judges would remain in their positions for another three years. Gummow will begin his new term next Tuesday, while the other two local judges, Justice Frank Stock and Justice Patrick Chan Siu-oi, will start their next terms in September and October, respectively. The judiciary said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu had accepted the recommendation of the city's chief justice that the top court extend the three judges' terms of office. Last month, the Legislative Council endorsed the appointment of William Gillow Gibbes Austen Young, a 73-year-old retired New Zealand judge, to the top court. The city has seen six foreign judges step down in recent years, with Australian Robert French's exit in March the latest departure.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rockford leaders stress importance of primary elections
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — On Illinois' Election Day, Winnebago County Clerk Lori Gummow stressed the importance of primary elections. 'This is a wonderful opportunity for voters. A lot of time, they don't think that they have choices or options. Today, they do,' she said. The winners of Tuesday's primary will be put on the April 1st Consolidated Election. >>> See the 2025 Primary election results here 'I think that this is a really good election to demonstrate how each and every vote is so important and your vote could determine the outcome of the races today,' Gummow said. Tuesday's election in Rockford was entirely Democrats, with the Republican party choosing to caucus instead of primary for a majority of their jurisdictions. 'I know we will be having information on our candidates. And I would encourage research and there's various organizations that you can pursue to get information on the candidates,' said Paul Hoffman, Chairman of the Winnebago County Republican Central Committee. Charles Laskonis, Chairperson of the Winnebago Democratic Party, said, 'I would say you could volunteer your time to knock on doors to a phone bank or to do whatever the campaign needs through their campaign. I mean, that's the next level up from voting.' Both parties say the voice and vote of the voter is a 'super power.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
