Important Notice

The general arrangements on typhoon and rainstorm warnings are as follows:

In addition, you may wish to listen to the announcements on radio and television about the adjournment and resumption of hearings of the Courts/Tribunals and the closing and re-opening of court/tribunal registries and offices for confirmation.

When Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above is issued

In general, the Courts/Tribunals would have the hearings adjourned when Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above is issued, and the court/tribunal registries and offices will also be closed.

When Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued

In general, the Courts/Tribunals would have the hearings adjourned when a black rainstorm warning signal is issued before office opening hour, and the court/tribunal registries and offices will also be closed. If such signal is issued during office hours, the Courts/Tribunals would have the hearings adjourned but the court/tribunal registries and offices will remain open.

When Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is lowered or cancelled

Resumption of Court Proceedings

If the signal is lowered or cancelled at or before 6:00 a.m. on Monday to Friday and Saturday, the Courts/Tribunals will resume hearing at the usual time in the morning.

If the signal is lowered or cancelled between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. or at 11:00 a.m. on Monday to Friday, the Courts/Tribunals will resume hearing at 2:30 p.m. So, if you are supposed to attend Court/Tribunal that morning, you are required to attend Court/Tribunal for the hearing at 2:30 p.m. on that day.

If the signal is lowered or cancelled after 11:00 a.m. on Monday to Friday or after 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday, hearings of the Courts/Tribunals will remain adjourned for the whole day. If you are supposed to attend Court/Tribunal on that day, you are required to attend Court/Tribunal at 9:30 a.m. the next day which is not a public holiday.

If the date on which the hearing of the Courts/Tribunals remains adjourned for the whole day is a Friday and if you are supposed to attend Court/Tribunal on that day, you are required to attend Court/Tribunal at 9:30 a.m. the next day, that is a Saturday, which is not a public holiday.

Re-opening of Court/Tribunal Registries and Offices

If the signal is lowered or cancelled at or before 6:00 a.m. on Monday to Friday and Saturday, the court/tribunal registries and offices will be opened as usual in the morning.

If the signal is lowered or cancelled between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. or at 11:00 a.m. on Monday to Friday, the court/tribunal registries and offices will be re-opened at the usual time in the afternoon.

If the signal is lowered or cancelled after 11:00 a.m. on Monday to Friday, subject to the circumstances prevailing at the time, the court/tribunal registries and offices may be re-opened in the afternoon as soon as practicable. However, the court/tribunal registries and offices will remain closed for the whole day if such signal is lowered or cancelled 2 hours or less before the normal closing hour on Monday to Friday.

The court/tribunal registries and offices will remain closed if such gale or rainstorm warning signal is lowered or cancelled after 6:00 a.m. on Saturday.

You should note the announcements on radio and television about the re-opening time of the court/tribunal registries and offices and the resumption of court proceedings. You may also view the announcement (upon issue) available on the Government's Press Release webpage.

Usual Business Hours of Registries and Offices

• Court of Final Appeal
• High Court
• Probate Registry
• Bailiff's Office
• District Court
• Family Court
• Lands Tribunal
• Magistrates' Courts
• Labour Tribunal
• Small Claims Tribunal
• Obscene Articles Tribunal
• The Coroner's Court
• Resource Centre for Unrepresented Litigants