Andrew Li

A graduate of the University of Cambridge, Li practised as a barrister in Hong Kong until his appointment as Chief Justice.

During his 13 years as Chief Justice, Li handled a variety of important appellate cases and was known for his moderate jurisprudence and visionary leadership.

Born in Hong Kong, Andrew Li received his early education at St. Paul's Co-educational College, and then at Repton School in Derbyshire, England.

As Chief Justice, he presided in the Court of Final Appeal and was Head of the Judiciary charged with its administration.

[11] In 1999, he gave the leading judgment in Ng Ka Ling and Others v. Director of Immigration,[12] which was at the centre of the right of abode controversy.

In 2000, Li set up a working party, consisting of judges, lawyers and academics, to introduce reforms on minimising the complexity of High Court civil litigation procedures, widening judges' discretionary powers to manage the progress of cases and requiring lawyers to justify their charges.

[17] Li's announcement that he intended to take early retirement came as a surprise, prompting widespread speculation that there had been pressure from Beijing, according to the South China Morning Post.

[19][20] On 18 February 2010, Li achieved the highest score ever recorded (68.1) by the University of Hong Kong Public Opinion Programme.

Margaret Ng said: "The public is deeply worried that [Li's resignation] signals an era in which judicial independence will gradually yield to the influence and intervention of Beijing ... but I believe the challenges have always been there, openly at times, but unceasingly as an undercurrent."

The courtroom was packed by judges and lawyers, including representatives of the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Bar Association.

His wife, Li Woo Mo Ying Judy, is a graduate of the University of Hong Kong (Social Sciences, 1970).