Statement by Chief Justice of Court of Final Appeal
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
Regarding the multiple instances of judicial copying in the judgments written by Mr Justice Wilson Chan of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, made the following statement today (July 27):
Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Photo source: reference image
The primary duty of a judge in adjudicating cases is to hear and determine them in accordance with the applicable law and the evidence presented before the court. In doing so, a judge must exercise an independent judicial mind in carefully considering and resolving the issues raised and in determining the disputes before the court. The exercise of independent judicial judgment, which lies at the heart of the adjudicative process, is principally reflected in the reasons and judgments delivered by the judge.
Judicial copying strikes at the very core of this fundamental requirement. It raises serious concerns as to whether a judge has brought an independent mind to bear on the issues and disputes requiring determination. Such conduct is wholly unacceptable.
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.
Having given the matter the most serious and careful consideration, I have concluded that further action is required to safeguard public confidence in the administration of justice and in the independent and professional discharge of judicial duties. I have therefore today formally requested Mr Justice Chan to take early retirement from judicial office. Mr Justice Chan has submitted his retirement application accordingly, and I have approved it in the public interest, effective 31 July 2026.
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.
I remain fully confident that judges and judicial officers will continue to perform their duties diligently, independently and professionally, in accordance with the Judicial Oath.
Mr Justice Wilson Chan, Photo source: reference image
HKMA launches quantum preparedness whitepaper and index to support banking sector's readiness for quantum era
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (July 27) the launch of the Whitepaper on Quantum Preparedness of Hong Kong's Banking Sector, together with the first Quantum Preparedness Index (QPI) and relevant support measures for the industry, at the eighth edition of the FiNETech series (FiNETech8)[Note 1]. The Whitepaper and the QPI were developed under the HKMA's Fintech Promotion Blueprint[Note 2], with the aim of enhancing the banking sector's understanding of the implications of quantum computing and supporting early preparation for quantum-related cyber risks.
The Whitepaper covers a survey conducted in early 2026, which suggests that awareness of quantum-related developments is building across the sector. Based on the survey findings, the HKMA released the first QPI. As a forward-looking benchmark, the QPI is assessed across four key dimensions: Awareness, Planning, Pilots and Practical Preparedness.
The initial QPI score is 2.3 on a 10-point scale, reflecting the sector is at an early stage of preparedness, and currently focused on laying the foundation for the quantum era. During the transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), banks should also continuously enhance their cyber resilience, tech maturity and innovation capabilities.
Regarding the current state of play, around 68 per cent of the banks surveyed demonstrate awareness or are progressing to planning or piloting stages, while 32 per cent have not yet embarked upon their transition journey. Furthermore, preparedness for the transition to PQC remains uneven, with around half of the banks surveyed having no formal post-quantum planning in place.
The survey also indicates that, while quantum computing is still in its initial phase, some banks have started to engage with both the opportunities and implications of quantum technologies, albeit practical implementation remains limited. Around half of surveyed banks reported that quantum computing had been discussed at board level. In addition, about one-third of all surveyed banks indicated that they had already begun exploring or piloting quantum-related initiatives.
The HKMA will continue to support the banking sector's PQC transition, with the aim of achieving full sectoral readiness (a QPI score of 10) by 2030 through practical guidance, training and industry engagement. Relevant measures include:
- A PQC toolkit, to be co-developed in collaboration with the School of Business and Management of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the industry, designed to assist banks in identifying priorities for transition planning and enhancing cryptographic agility; and
- A series of workshops to help banks build capability, strengthen preparedness for PQC, and explore the potential future use of quantum technologies in a responsible manner.
The full Whitepaper, including detailed QPI findings and recommendations, is available on the HKMA website.
[Note 1]FiNETech8 was co-hosted by the HKMA, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Fintech Association of Hong Kong and the School of Business and Management of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. For details about the FiNETech series:
https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2024/04/20240426-4/
[Note 2]Fintech Promotion Blueprint,HKMA (2026)
https://www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/doc/key-information/press-release/2026/20260203e3a1.pdf
HKMA launches quantum preparedness whitepaper and index to support banking sector's readiness for quantum era Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMA launches quantum preparedness whitepaper and index to support banking sector's readiness for quantum era Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
