Judge Rui Ribeiro of the Court of Second Instance confirmed he will leave Macau at the end of October, ahead of the initial end of his term in May 2026.
Ribeiro noted that the judiciary in Macau tried hard to persuade him to stay but decided to return to Portugal due to the uncertainty regarding a potential renewal of a special license by the Superior Council of the Magistracy (CSM).
His departure leaves Jerónimo Alberto Gonçalves Santos as the sole Portuguese judge in Macau, serving as the president of a collective court at the Court of First Instance (TJB).
Supreme Court President João Cura Mariano indicated, during a visit to Macau, that he aims to assess the territory’s interest in retaining Portuguese judges.
“We will try to determine what they can still usefully contribute and if they are needed, as new judges will be sent if necessary,” he told reporters.
Mariano expressed that this issue will certainly be discussed during meetings with Song Man Lei, President of the Court of Final Appeal, and Sam Hou Fai, leader of Macau’s government and former TUI President.
“It’s very useful since, being a former court president, Sam Hou Fai is aware of the existing needs,” Mariano stated.
However, he acknowledged challenges in contributing judges from Portugal due to a shortage of qualified and experienced human resources.
“We recently withdrew a judge who was with us for many years, and we needed him,” Mariano recalled.
In 2024, the CSM denied an extension for Judge Carlos Carvalho, who had served in Macau for 16 years, even though he was invited by the Independent Commission for the Nomination of Judges to stay for two more years.
The council did not approve Carvalho’s special license renewal, promoting him to appellate judge with placement in the Court of Appeal.
Despite challenges in recruiting judges in Portugal, Mariano assured readiness to assist.
The example of Timor-Leste was highlighted, where many Portuguese judges are actively contributing to the local judiciary as they are “very much needed.”
João Cura Mariano is in Macau to participate in the 13th edition of the forum uniting Presidents of Supreme Courts of Justice from Portuguese-speaking countries and territories.
