Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission


The Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission is a statutory body in Hong Kong responsible for advising and making recommendations to the Chief Executive on judicial appointments and related matters established after the Handover in accordance with the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission Ordinance. According to Article 88 of the Basic Law, the Chief Executive shall appoint judges on the recommendation of the Commission, suggesting that he or she is not empowered to make appointments on his or her own accord.

History

The commission was established in 1976 as the Judicial Service Commission by the Judicial Service Commission Ordinance 1975. The Commission originally consisted of 6 members, which included the Chief Justice, the Attorney General, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, and not more than three members appointed by the Governor, one of whom may be a judge of the Supreme Court. The current composition was adopted via an amendment to the Ordinance in 1990.
The commission was renamed to its current name in 1997.

Composition

The Commission is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal ex-officio and is composed of the Secretary for Justice ex-officio and 7 other members appointed by the Chief Executive. These include:
Members are appointed by the Chief Executive and serve renewable two-year terms. Resolutions of the Commission are effective upon a quorum of 7 members, of which at least two less than the number present must vote in favour. No member has veto power.
The Judiciary Administrator is ex officio the secretary to the Commission.

Current members

As of 2023, the following are the members of the Commission: