Prominent senior counsel Martin Lee and Ronny Tong have paid tribute to former High Court judge and South Lantau resident John Rhind.

Rhind, 80, went missing while on a regular walk from his home in Pui O last Monday. His body was found at Tong Fuk beach on Thursday.

Martin Lee, a senior barrister and founder of the Democratic Party, described Rhind as “gentleman,” Apple Daily reported. “A very fine person, a very fine temperament, I am stunned at his disappearance.”

Ronny Tong, former Legco and Civic Party member, described Rhind as “very approachable … a relatively commonsense and generous judge.”

Rhind was a well-loved member of the local expat community with a passion for hiking Lantau’s hills.

He received his bachelors degree from University College London in 1957 and was admitted as a solicitor in 1961. After some time in Australia, he was appointed a Hong Kong magistrate in 1965.

In 1974 he was promoted to assistant registrar in the High Court (then known as the Supreme Court) and two years later was tapped for the District Court. He was appointed justice of the High Court in 1980 and retired in 1994.

In his 14 years on the court he dealt mainly with civil appeals.