'Justice Chief Obliged To Stop Attacks On Judges'

The chairman of the Bar Association, Philip Dykes, has urged the secretary for justice to take action against what he called "baseless criticisms" against judges, just because they decide a case one way rather than another.

Delivering a speech marking the opening of the legal year on Monday, Dykes said judges have been vilified by the media on many occasions because their decisions weren’t in line with some people’s political or moral agendas.

“Attacks like this are pure poison,” Dykes said, adding that such criticisms are “cowardly” because the authors know that the judges cannot answer back.

He pointed out that while the Bar Association can protest, it cannot bring to book the authors and publishers of unprincipled attacks.

The Bar Association chief stressed that it is the job of the secretary for justice to ensure accountability, saying the judiciary is "notoriously weaker" than other branches of government.

“The judiciary commands no army or police force, nor can it appeal to a sympathetic political electorate for support. It must demonstrate its worth in the constitutional order by commanding the people’s respect through its commitment to the rule of law,” he said.

If nothing is done about the attacks, Dykes warned they will eventually undermine confidence and respect for the courts, “and the administration of justice will slowly evaporate”.

“When there is a creeping barrage of criticism that supposes judges are politically biased, incompetent or dishonest, the damage is done not so much to the judges, who have broad backs, but to the judiciary as an institution.”

Dykes, who is about to end his three-year stint as Bar Association chairman, wrapped up his speech calling on people to stop making comments that eat away at society’s respect for the rule of law.

“Without judicial independence, a pearl of great price, we might as well pack up our bags and steal away for Hong Kong is nothing without it,” he said.