British Judge Nicholas Phillips Resigns from Hong Kong Court

Nicholas Phillips, an 86-year-old British non-permanent judge, has stepped down from Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal after 12 years, citing 'personal reasons' for not extending his term, which ends on September 30, 2024. His departure marks the fifth resignation of a foreign judge from the court this year, amidst concerns regarding judicial independence following the introduction of the 2020 national security law. The judiciary reassured that the court's operations would remain unaffected and expressed gratitude for Phillips' contributions to the rule of law in Hong Kong. Other judges, including Lawrence Collins and Jonathan Sumption, have also resigned this year, with some citing the political situation in the city. Currently, only six foreign judges remain on the court. The judiciary is actively seeking to appoint new non-permanent judges to fill the vacancies.