Chief Executive Carrie Lam today expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Court of Final Appeal (CFA) non-permanent judge Lord Peter Julian Millett.

Mrs Lam noted that Lord Millett was a distinguished jurist with profound achievements and was held in high regard in the legal sector.

Having been a CFA non-permanent judge since 2000, Lord Millett handled complicated cases and wrote landmark judgments covering various legal aspects over the years, making significant contributions to the Judiciary. He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2015.

Mrs Lam stated that according to relevant provisions in the Basic Law, the Chief Executive can appoint judges from other common law jurisdictions, and the appointment of illustrious judges from other common law jurisdictions as non-permanent judges of the CFA is an important component of the judicial system in Hong Kong.

“In his participation in the work of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal over the past 20 years, he has made immense contributions to the establishment of a robust and well-recognised judicial system in Hong Kong after its return to the motherland, which is testimony to the implementation of a high degree of autonomy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law.

“I am saddened by the passing of Lord Millett. On behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family,” Mrs Lam said.