Early Retirement of the Honourable Chief Justice

The Honourable Chief Justice Mr Andrew Kwok-nang Li has decided to take early retirement. He has written to the Chief Executive to give notice of early retirement, ceasing service on August 31, 2010 and commencing pre-retirement leave on September 1, 2010.

"I believe that my early retirement is in the best interests of the Judiciary. My early retirement will be conducive to orderly succession planning in the Judiciary in the coming years. Further, by August 31, 2010, I would have completed 13 years service as Chief Justice and I consider it is appropriate for there to be a change in the leadership of the Judiciary after such a period. Taking early retirement is also consistent with my personal wishes. I would have worked for over 37 years by August 2010," the Chief Justice stated.

quoted from http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200909/02/P200909020180.htm (the Press Releases of the Government of HKSAR)

Racehorse Trainer was acquitted

Racehorse trainer Mr. Danny Shum Chap-shing was acquitted on 1st September 2009 from a charge of indecently assaulting a married woman.

The Magistrate was Mr. Pang Chung Ping. I was told that the Defence Counsel was Senior Counsel Mr. Lawrence Lok. However, I have not verified the same.

The Magistrate relied on the CCTV records showing that the victim did not attempt yelling for help in her car. Further, there was no immediate report to the police or seek for assistance from others after the alleged incident.

Principal Magistrate Mr. Timothy Simon Jenkins

Principal Magistrate of Shatin Magistracy Mr. Timothy Simon Jenkis passed away on 1st September 2009 at the age of 52 years old.

He was said to have been suffering from cancer and had recently divorced.

He fell to his death from another magistrate of Eastern Magistracy Mr. Henry Mierczak's premises in Victoria Garden.

After police investigation, it is believed to be a suicide case.

Jenkins was from United Kingdom and he was admitted as a solicitor in the United Kingdom in 1983 and then in Hong Kong in 1984. He was appointed as a magistrate in 1990. From 2001, he was a principal magistrate.

He was the Principal Magistrate of Shatin Magistracy before his passing away.