Courts Must Release More Data, Ted Hui Says

Democratic Party legislator Ted Hui has urged Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma to back up his pledge for transparency in the judiciary by making public more data on criminal cases handled by local judges and magistrates, as well as how often defendants complain about police violence.

Justice Ma had slammed unfounded criticism of judges, magistrates and their judgements in a rare statement issued last month, saying such attacks would damage the public's faith in the judiciary. He had said while the courts are not above criticism, they must be “informed and supported with proper grounds and reasons.”

Speaking on RTHK’s Letter to Hong Kong programme on Sunday, Hui said he fully agreed with Justice Ma that “open justice and transparency” would give people the information they need for such informed critiques.

However, he noted that the judiciary had previously rejected his requests – made in the Legislative Council and under the Code on Access to Information – for information such as how many criminal cases are handled by magistrates and judges, and the number of defendants who had complained in court of police violence.

Hui said he had no choice but to lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman, which he says has now initiated an investigation.

“If, according to Geoffrey Ma, the judicial process can be observed in full without undermining judicial independence,” Hui said, “and that meaningful and informed comments, opinions or criticisms are welcome, the courts must increase its transparency.”

“Hence, I publicly call on the Chief Justice to urge the judiciary to provide figures and data related to judicial proceedings, so that the public can form the meaningful and informed opinions and criticisms as mentioned himself.”

Hui added that the “transparency of the judicial process is key to maintain judicial independence”.