Judge linked to plagiarism scandal to retire early: CJ

A High Court judge who has been reprimanded for plagiarism will retire early, effective Friday.

Chief Justice Andrew Cheung said in order to safeguard public confidence in the administration of justice, he on Monday told Wilson Chan to take early retirement from judicial office.

Chan submitted his retirement application which was approved by Cheung.

"Judicial copying strikes at the very core of this fundamental requirement," the chief justice said in a statement.

"The public concern arising from the multiple instances of judicial copying involving Mr Justice Wilson Chan in recent years is fully recognised. The high standards expected by the community of both the Judiciary and individual judges are entirely justified.

"Notwithstanding the severe reprimand previously issued and the undertaking given by Mr Justice Chan to improve, judicial copying has continued to occur. A number of appeals have arisen over time, some of which have led to orders for retrial.

"Such conduct has not only adversely affected the interests of the parties concerned and imposed an unnecessary burden on appellate judicial resources, but has also undermined public confidence in Mr Justice Chan's continued ability to discharge his judicial responsibilities properly."

Cheung added that efforts have been made to prevent similar cases in future.

"Although these incidents of judicial copying relate to a single judge, I have taken this opportunity to remind judges and judicial officers at all levels of the court system of the importance of avoiding any form of judicial copying. Training in judgment writing will also be strengthened where appropriate," the statement read.

Edited by Edmond Fong ...