This is an important safeguard of an independent judiciary, ensuring judges can decide controversial cases freely, without worrying about losing their job. But when a judge repeatedly falls short of the high standards the public rightly expects of the judiciary, action must be taken. Cheung honoured the security of tenure judges enjoy by requesting rather than demanding the judge step down. The judiciary took steps to help the judge, offering training and support. Steps must now be taken to ensure cases handled by the judge, who was among those approved for national security trials, are not unduly affected.