Lee announced that the Government would seek an interpretation under Article 158 to overturn the CFA's decision (as well as overturning the decisions by the Chief Judge and the Court of Appeal). This was roundly condemned by legal pundits, including Elsie Leung and Lord Pannick KC. Even before the interpretation, the Immigration Department withheld Owen's work visa, contrary to what the CFA had ruled. This decision was criticized by leading barrister Lord Pannick KC, who frequently represents the Hong Kong Government in court. Maria Yuen nomination saga In June 2021, Justice Maria Yuen was recommended for appointment as a permanent judge by the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission. However the promotion was rejected by pro-Beijing legislators, in an unprecedented breach of the norms of an independent legal system. The legislators, who by protocol accept the recommendations of the commission, claimed that she might be influenced by her husband, former Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma, whose defence of Hong Kong's judicial independence they considered unpatriotic. See also Law of Hong Kong Judiciary of Hong Kong Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal High Court (Hong Kong) Chief Judge of the High Court of Hong Kong Supreme Court (Hong Kong) Notes References External links Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Hong Kong Government Hill 1997 establishments in Hong Kong Courts and tribunals established in 1997