Government announces appointment and removal of Secretary for Justice
5.1.2018

The Central People's Government, on the recommendation and nomination of the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, approved the appointment of Ms Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, SC as the Secretary for Justice (SJ) and the removal of Mr Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung, SC from the post of SJ with effect from January 6. Mrs Lam paid tribute to Mr Yuen for his outstanding performance during the past five-and-a-half years as SJ. He has been a pillar of strength in upholding the rule of law in Hong Kong. His commitment to the Country and Hong Kong is in full display and he is passionate about his work. "Mr Yuen has profound legal knowledge and excellent analytical power. In the face of the heavy workload and many arduous tasks during his tenure of some five years, he has taken it all in his stride and served the community selflessly with all his heart. He has also spared no effort in promoting Hong Kong as a regional centre for legal services and dispute resolution. With his distinguished leadership and strong team spirit, he commands the respect and admiration of all the Secretaries of Department and Directors of Bureau, as well as civil servants. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I convey my deep appreciation to Mr Yuen for his contribution to the HKSAR," Mrs Lam said. On the appointment of Ms Cheng, Mrs Lam said "Ms Cheng is a seasoned Senior Counsel in private practice, with rich experience in international arbitration and mediation. She is a high achiever in the legal profession and communicates well with all. Over the years, she has been very active in public service. Through her chairmanship and membership of a range of important committees of the HKSAR Government, she is well versed in government affairs and has earned the respect of civil servants. I have every confidence that she will make a very competent SJ." Following are the biographical notes on Mr Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung, SC and Ms Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, SC: Mr Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung, SC ------------------------------------- Aged 53. Mr Yuen has been Secretary for Justice since July 2012. He was a Senior Counsel in private practice before joining the Government, specialising in commercial disputes. He also served as an arbitrator in international arbitration and a mediator in commercial disputes.Mr Yuen was appointed Recorder of the Court of First Instance of the High Court in 2006. Mr Yuen has also served in various public duties, including as member of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, non-official member of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Advisory Committee on Corruption, Chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee, Non-executive Director of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority and Council Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Education. Ms Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, SC ----------------------------------- Aged 59. Before joining the Government, Ms Cheng was a Senior Counsel in private practice. She is also a chartered engineer, chartered arbitrator and accredited mediator. She has been frequently engaged as arbitrator or counsel in complex international commercial or investment disputes. Ms Cheng was one of the founders and Chairman of the Asian Academy of International Law. She is a Past Vice President of the International Council of Commercial Arbitration, Past Vice President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and Past Chairperson of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. In 2008, she became the first Asian woman elected through a global election as President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She served as Deputy Judge / Recorder in the Court of First Instance of the High Court of Hong Kong from 2011 to 2017. She is a member of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes Panel of Arbitrators, and was a member of the World Bank's Sanctions Board. Ms Cheng is a Fellow of King's College in London, and was the Course Director of the International Arbitration and Dispute Settlement Course at the Law School of Tsinghua University in Beijing. Ends/Friday, January 5, 2018 Issued at HKT 10:09 NNNN