HONG KONG – Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Lord Peter Julian Millett, a non-permanent judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.
In a statement, Lam said Lord Millett was a distinguished jurist with profound achievements and is held in high regard in the legal sector. Lord Millet, who was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2015, died in the United Kingdom on May 27.
Lord Millet, who was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2015, died in the United Kingdom on May 27
“Having been a Non-Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal since 2000, Lord Millett has handled complicated cases and has written landmark judgments covering various legal aspects over the years, making significant contributions to the judiciary,” Lam was quoted as saying in the statement.
According to the Basic Law, the Chief Executive can appoint judges from other common law jurisdictions. Lam said the appointment of illustrious judges from other common law jurisdictions as Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal 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-recognized 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,” she said.
"I am saddened by the passing of Lord Millett. On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family," she added.
In a separate statement, the Hong Kong judiciary also extended its deepest sympathies to Lord Millet’s family.
“Being held in the highest regard as a jurist and one of the greatest legal minds of our time, Lord Millett will be sorely missed by each of the members in the Court of Final Appeal,” the statement reads.
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Lord Millett was born in the United Kingdom in 1932 and built an illustrious career in the legal profession and judicial service.
He was called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple in 1955 and admitted ad eundem to Lincoln's Inn in 1959. In 1973, he was appointed Queen's Counsel., according to the statement.
In 1986, Lord Millett was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division. He was appointed a Lord Justice of Appeal in 1994 and a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 1998, it added.