Transfer Of Magistrate 'not Related To Complaints'

The judiciary on Tuesday said the appointment of a magistrate who had come under fire from pro-establishment figures to an administrative position at the High Court has nothing to do with recent complaints made about him.

In a statement, the judiciary said Ho, currently a magistrate at Eastern Court, was appointed as a temporary Deputy Registrar of the High Court on July 31. The appointment will begin on September 18 and last till June 17 next year.

His duties will include assisting the Criminal Listing Judge in the listing and procedural matters of criminal cases in the High Court.

The judiciary said Ho's posting "is made for normal operational purposes".

As for the complaints against him, the Judiciary said they were being handled in accordance with established procedures.

On August 12, Ho slammed two police officers for "telling lie after lie" as he acquitted district councillor Jocelyn Chau and her assistant of assaulting the police during an operation by the force in North Point in August last year.

The pro-establishment camp accused the magistrate of being biased, with the DAB's Holden Chow saying mistakes made by judges and magistrates needed to be pointed out to protect the judiciary's reputation. He denied putting pressure on the courts.