Australian Patrick Keane Appointed CFA Judge

A former Australian High Court judge, Patrick Keane, was on Friday appointed as a non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal.

The appointment, pending the Legislative Council's approval, would increase the number of non-permanent judges on Hong Kong's highest court to 11.

Keane, 70, retired from Australia's High Court in October last year after spending more than nine years there.

Chief Executive John Lee, who accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission on Keane's appointment, said the presence of esteemed overseas jurists manifests the independent exercising of judicial power in the SAR as protected by the Basic Law.

"[Mr Keane] is a judge of eminent standing and reputation. I am confident that he will greatly contribute to the Court of Final Appeal," he said in a statement.

"[The presence of overseas judges] also helps maintain a high degree of confidence in the HKSAR's judicial system, and enables Hong Kong to maintain strong links with other common law jurisdictions."

The 10 current non-permanent judges on the Court of Final Appeal come from the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.

The Chief Justice, Andrew Cheung, also welcomed Keane's appointment. He said an extra judge will provide greater flexibility in dealing with the caseload of the top court.