Australian Judge French Resigns from Hong Kong's Top Court, Sixth in Year

Robert French, a former Chief Justice of Australia's High Court, has resigned from Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal, marking the sixth foreign judge to step down amid increasing concerns over the erosion of the rule of law in the region. French criticized the role of non-permanent justices as becoming 'anachronistic and arguably cosmetic,' reflecting broader international criticism following Beijing's national security crackdown. He expressed respect for the remaining judges and rejected claims that they were complicit in undermining the judicial system. The number of foreign judges on the court has significantly decreased from 13 to five in recent years, prompting fears about the integrity of Hong Kong's legal framework. French's resignation follows that of other prominent judges like Jonathan Sumption, who highlighted the city's transition towards a more authoritarian regime. The Hong Kong government acknowledged French's contributions, asserting that individual judges do not diminish the judiciary's integrity.