Judiciary of Hong Kong

The Judiciary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the judicial branch of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, it exercises the judicial power of the Region and is independent of the executive and legislative branches of the Government. The courts in Hong Kong hear and adjudicate all prosecutions and civil disputes, including all public and private law matters.

The hierarchy of the Hong Kong judiciary from high to low is: the Court of Final Appeal, the High Court (consisting of the upper Court of Appeal and the lower Court of First Instance), the District Court, and magistrates' courts. There are also some special courts and tribunals set up by law.

The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal is head of the judiciary and assisted in his administrative duties by the Judiciary Administrator. A bilingual court system in which Chinese, English or both can be used was put in place, in accordance with the requirement of the Basic Law.

The Chief Justice and the judges of the Court of Final Appeal, both permanent and non-permanent, are forbidden by statute from practising as barristers or solicitors in Hong Kong while holding office or after leaving office. High Court and District Court judges are similarly required to undertake that they will not practise as barristers or solicitors in Hong Kong after leaving office, unless permitted by the Chief Executive. There are however no restrictions on becoming an arbitrator or mediator, as former Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma has become both following his retirement.