Hong Kong, 19 September 2017: Boase Cohen & Collins Senior Partner Colin Cohen was among a select audience who gathered yesterday evening to hear Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury discuss his long and distinguished career as one of the UK’s most high-profile judges.
Lord Neuberger, who stood down as President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom earlier this month, talked about his experiences as a judge and some of his more notable cases, as well as offering his thoughts on the rule of law in Hong Kong.
“It was an illuminating evening, one that was well attended, and it was good to catch up with many friends and acquaintances in the legal profession,” said Mr Cohen. “It was particularly interesting to hear Lord Neuberger’s thoughts about Hong Kong given that he has sat as a Non-Permanent Judge in the Court of Final Appeal here since 2009.
“As many people are aware, our Judiciary has come in for considerable criticism, particularly from overseas, following the recent prison sentences handed down to three pro-democracy activists. Yet Lord Neuberger was unequivocal in stating that he believes Hong Kong has very strong and independent rule of law and that the Judiciary is free from Government interference. He stressed he would not sit in our Court of Final Appeal if he felt that were not the case.”
The event, “An Evening with Lord Neuberger”, was held at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre in Exchange Square, Central. The session was chaired by Neil Kaplan QC with Lord Neuberger answering a diverse set of questions from the audience.