Law Society Hits Out Over Judge Intimidation

The Law Society has condemned acts of intimidation targetting the judiciary after a judge received threatening phone calls following a case in which she jailed a group of high-profile pro-democracy figures.

The society, the professional association for the SAR's solicitors, made the comments after media reported that the office of District Court Judge Amanda Woodcock received the calls last week.

"Intimidation of judges is not only a serious criminal offence, but also a threat to judicial independence and the rule of law," the society said in a statement.

"Any attempt to pressure and/or influence judges in their decision making process must immediately cease."

The Bar Association, which represents barristers, had condemned the acts of intimidation on Saturday.

Woodcock had jailed former legislators Albert Ho, Lee Cheuk-yan and Leung Kwok-hung and Civil Human Rights Front convenor Figo Chan for 18 months over an unauthorised protest on National Day in 2019.

Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai, ex-lawmakers Cyd Ho and Yeung Sum, and former League of Social Democrats chairman Avery Ng were jailed for 14 months.

Former legislator Sin Chung-kai and activist Richard Tsoi received suspended jail terms.