The Judiciary Annual Report 2007 has a new format. Previously, our Annual Report contained a description of the work of the Judiciary. This information will no longer be set out in our Annual Report. We are issuing a new publication entitled ��Hong Kong Judiciary�� which will provide this information. It will be available to visitors to the Judiciary and need not be revised for about five years. The same information is already available on our Website.

2. From this year onwards, our Annual Report will concentrate on the developments and events during the year in question, together with the relevant statistics. In an effort to contribute to the protection of the environment, we will no longer publish a paper version of the Annual Report. It will only be uploaded on our Website.

The Court of Final Appeal
3. 2007 is a year of significance. We celebrated the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. At the same time, the Court of Final Appeal has reached the milestone of the end of its first decade as our own final appellate court. The Court is judged by the quality of its jurisprudence. While that quality is best judged by others, I have every confidence that the Court has made good progress in establishing its stature within and outside Hong Kong.

Civil Justice Reform
4. In 2007, Civil Justice Reform continues to be an important area of our work. Under the Steering Committee on Civil Justice Reform, we consolidated the relevant legislative amendments under one Bill entitled Civil Justice (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill 2007. The Bill was gazetted in March for introduction into the Legislative Council in April. Revised proposals to amend seven sets of subsidiary legislation were also issued in October. The proposed legislative amendments are now being scrutinized by the Legislature. This complete set of legislative amendments will form the necessary framework for the implementation of the Reform. After the legislative framework is in place, we need to conduct training of judges and support staff and to prepare the necessary infrastructure. The plan is to bring the Reform into operation in about the start of the second quarter in 2009.

Mediation
5. Having regard to the growing importance of mediation as an alternative method of dispute resolution, a Working Party on Mediation was set up in January to look into how consensual mediation of civil disputes in the Court of First Instance, the District Court and the Lands Tribunal may be facilitated. As a result of its work, we are launching a pilot scheme on mediation for building management cases in the Lands Tribunal starting in January 2008. The details and procedures are contained in the Direction issued by the President of the Lands Tribunal The Judiciary will continue to work with stakeholders to promote mediation as an alternative means for dispute resolution in appropriate areas.

Solicitors' Rights of Audience
6. The subject of Solicitors' Rights of Audience has been much debated over the years. In October, the Working Party set up in 2004 to consider the issue finalized its Report and recommends that an Assessment Board should be established to deal with granting higher rights of audience to suitably qualified solicitors. I accepted the Report's recommendations and referred them to the Secretary for Justice in November to request the Administration to consider the matter and take it forward by appropriate legislation.

Relocation of the Labour Tribunal
7. To enhance its efficiency and provide better facilities to court users, the Labour Tribunal was relocated to the South Kowloon Law Courts Building in late December and will commence operation at the new premises in January 2008. The new premises are designed to suit the Tribunal's requirements. There is separate access for Presiding Officers, staff and members of the public as in all other court buildings. More spacious waiting areas, discussion rooms and registries, as well as designated space for wheelchairs at courtrooms for physically handicapped court users are provided.

Chief Justices' Conference
8. We hosted the 12th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific in June. This is the first time this Conference is held in Hong Kong. Over 30 Chief Justices, including Chief Justice Xiao Yang from Mainland China, and their representatives met to exchange views and share their experience on various issues in the administration of justice. It was a most successful Conference.

Judiciary Administration
9. The Judiciary Administration continues to strive to provide quality services in support of the administration of justice. We are delighted that the Court Orders Section of the Judiciary Administration obtained the ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality management system in May while the Registries of the Lands Tribunal and the Small Claims Tribunal and General Offices of six Magistrates' Courts achieved good results in the 2007 surveillance audits for ISO certification. The Judiciary Administration was also awarded the Ombudsman's Awards 2007 for Departments and Organisations in recognition of our support to the cause of improving the quality of service and promoting fairness in public administration.

10. We hope you will enjoy reading this Report and gain a better understanding of our work during 2007.

Andrew Li
Chief Justice

Highlights of Events 2007

January

8

The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li declared opening of the 2007 Legal Year

9

A seven-member delegation headed by Madam Hua Fuzhou, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of the State Council, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

10 & 22

Delegations from Nansha People's Court and Procuratorate of Guangzhou, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

12

The term of office of the Right Hon the Lord Hoffmann, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal from other common law jurisdictions, was extended for a period of three years

15

Mr Darryl Gordon Saw was appointed as Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court

17

The Hon Mr Justice McHugh, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, gave a talk at the High Court on ��The Judicial Method Revisited��

23

A three-member delegation from the High People's Court of Guangdong Province, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

February

1

Mr Li Hon-leung, Chief Magistrate, and Miss Susana Maria D'Almada Remedios, Mr Kevin Anthony Browne, Mr Michael Wong Yat-ming, Mr Joseph Yau Chi-lap, Mr Andrew Chan Hing-wai and Mr Colin Richard Mackintosh, Magistrates, were appointed as District Judges

6

Mr Justice Carlos R. Moreno, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California, and Mr Mike Margolis, attorney and trial lawyer, the United States, visited the Judiciary

15

Mr Kevin Martin, Immediate Past President, the Law Society of England and Wales, the United Kingdom, visited the Judiciary

March

16

The Hon Justice Brian J. Tamberlin, Judge of Federal Court of Australia, visited the Judiciary

17-18

The Hon Mr Justice Barma, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Seventh Multinational Judicial Colloquium in Cape Town, South Africa

27

Legislative Council members visited the Judiciary

April

2

Mr Chan Kwong-chi was appointed as District Judge

14-18

The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li attended as the Principal Guest at the Opening of the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts in Dubai

16

Mr Leung Chun-man was appointed as District Judge

27

A 12-member delegation from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Higher People's Court, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

29.4-3.5

The Hon Mr Justice Stock, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, attended the Seventh Worldwide Common Law Judiciary Conference in London, the United Kingdom

May

2

Mrs Sharon Dawn Melloy was appointed as District Judge

22

A 23-member delegation from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, the United States, visited the Judiciary

June

1

Ms Mimmie Chan Mei-lan was appointed as District Judge

4-7

The Judiciary hosted the 12th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific. Apart from the Hon Chief Justice Xiao Yang of the People's Republic of China, the Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and the Hon President Sam Hou Fai of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, other participating Chief Justices or representatives included the Hon Chief Justice Murray Gleeson of Australia, the Hon Chief Justice Muhammed Ruhul Amin of Bangladesh, the Hon Justice Steven Chong of Brunei, the Right Hon Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin of Canada, Premier President Olivier Aimot of French Polynesia, the Hon Chief Justice Philip Carbullido of Guam, the Hon Chief Justice Konakupakattil G. Balakrishnan of India, Chief Justice Professor Dr Bagir Manan of Indonesia, the Hon Chief Justice Niro Shimada of Japan, the Hon Chief Justice Robin Millhouse of Kiribati, the Hon Chief Justice Lee Yong-hoon of Korea, the Right Hon Chief Justice Tun Dato' Sri Ahmad Fairuz Dato' Sheikh Abdul Halim of Malaysia, the Hon Chief Justice Carl B. Ingram of Marshall Islands, the Hon Chief Justice Batdelger Sodnomdarjaa of Mongolia, the Hon Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Paudel of Nepal, the Hon Monsieur Le Premier President Gerard Fey of New Caledonia, the Right Hon Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias of New Zealand, the Hon Chief Justice Miguel Demapan of Northern Mariana Islands, Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong of Palau, the Hon Chief Justice Reynato Puno of the Philippines, President of the Supreme Court Professor Vyacheslav Lebedev of Russia, the Hon Chief Justice Patu Falefatu Sapolu of Samoa, the Hon Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong of Singapore, the Hon Chief Justice Sir Albert Rocky Palmer of Solomon Islands, the Hon Justice Viruch Limvichai of Thailand, the Hon Chief Justice Tony Ford of Tonga, the Hon Chief Justice Gordon Ward of Tuvalu, and a delegation of LAWASIA led by the Hon Chief Justice Paul de Jersey

14

A 16-member delegation from the Production and Construction Army Corps Branch of the Higher People's Court of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

21

A 42-member delegation from Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

25 The Hon Mr Justice Lam, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Dispute Resolution Symposium in Beijing, the People's Republic of China

July

3

Mr Au Hing-cheung was appointed as District Judge

18

A 14-member delegation from Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Programme (Language Group) of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, the United States, visited the Judiciary

26

The Hon Mr Justice Anthony Gates, Acting Chief Justice of the Republic of the Fiji Islands, visited the Judiciary

26

A 12-member delegation from Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Programme (History Group) of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, the United States, visited the Judiciary

August

1

Her Honour Judge Queeny Au Yeung Kwai-yue was appointed as Registrar of the High Court

9

A 42-member delegation of Mainland judges visited the Judiciary

28

Professor Pierre Tercier, Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration, and Ms Cheng-yee Khong, Director for ICC Arbitration and Amicable Dispute Resolution, visited the Judiciary

September

17

The Hon Mr Justice Marvin Baxter and the Hon Mr Justice Ming Chin, Judges of the Supreme Court of California, the United States, visited the Judiciary

21

The Right Hon the Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC, the Attorney General of the United Kingdom, visited the Judiciary

21

Participants of the 12th Annual Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors visited the Judiciary

26-29

The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li attended the Global Constitutionalism Seminar at Yale University, New York, the United States

October

1-2

The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li attended the Legal Year Opening Ceremony in London, the United Kingdom

2

A 18-member delegation from the Shenyang Intermediate People's Court, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

5

Lord Geoffrey Howe, ex-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, visited the Judiciary

27-28

Her Honour Judge Chu attended the Mediation Conference in Beijing, the People's Republic of China

November

1-3

The Hon Mr Justice Waung attended the Seminar on ��Limitation of Maritime Liability for Maritime Claims�� in Guangzhou, the People's Republic of China

16

A three-member delegation from the Training Institute for Court Officials, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea, visited the Judiciary

22

Mr Duan Jielong, Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

29

The Judiciary released a report by the Working Party on Solicitors' Rights of Audience

29

A 30-member delegation from the Shenyang Intermediate People's Court, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

30

The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li delivered an opening speech at the conference on ��Mediation in Hong Kong: The Way Forward��

December

1

The Hon Mr Justice Lam and Her Honour Judge Chu delivered speeches at the conference on ��Mediation in Hong Kong: The Way Forward��

10

A nine-member delegation from the Supreme People's Court, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

12

A delegation of 27 senior officials from Fujian province, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

List of Judges and Judicial Officers

Court of Final Appeal

-

Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal

  The Hon Chief Justice Andrew LI
- Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal
  The Hon Mr Justice BOKHARY
  The Hon Mr Justice CHAN
  The Hon Mr Justice RIBEIRO
- Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal
  Mr William James SILKE
  Mr Kutlu Tekin FUAD
  Sir Noel Plunkett POWER, GBS
  Mr Gerald Paul NAZARETH, GBS
  Mr John Barry MORTIMER, GBS
  The Hon Henry Denis LITTON, GBM
  The Hon Sir Anthony MASON
  The Rt Hon the Lord HOFFMANN
  The Hon Sir Gerard BRENNAN
  The Rt Hon Sir Thomas EICHELBAUM
  The Rt Hon the Lord MILLETT
  The Rt Hon the Lord WOOLF of Barnes
  The Rt Hon the Lord SCOTT of Foscote
  The Rt Hon Sir Ivor RICHARDSON
  Mr Michael McHUGH
  The Rt Hon Thomas Munro GAULT

High Court

-

Chief Judge of the High Court

  The Hon Mr Justice MA
- Justices of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
  The Hon Mr Justice STUART-MOORE, V-P
  The Hon Mr Justice ROGERS, V-P
  The Hon Mr Justice WOO, GBS, V-P
  The Hon Mr Justice TANG, SBS, V-P
  The Hon Mr Justice STOCK, JA
  The Hon Mrs Justice LE PICHON, JA
  The Hon Mr Justice CHEUNG, JA
  The Hon Mr Justice YEUNG, JA
  The Hon Madam Justice YUEN, JA
- Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
  The Hon Mr Justice YAM
  The Hon Mr Justice WAUNG
  The Hon Mr Justice BURRELL
  The Hon Mrs Justice BOKHARY
  The Hon Mr Justice PANG
  The Hon Mr Justice STONE
  The Hon Madam Justice BEESON
  The Hon Mr Justice NGUYEN
  The Hon Mr Justice HARTMANN
  The Hon Mr Justice SUFFIAD
  The Hon Mr Justice SAKHRANI
  The Hon Mr Justice CHUNG
  The Hon Madam Justice CHU
  The Hon Mr Justice TONG
  The Hon Madam Justice KWAN
  The Hon Mr Justice McMAHON
  The Hon Mr Justice LAM
  The Hon Mr Justice CHEUNG
  The Hon Mr Justice LUNN
  The Hon Mr Justice BARMA
  The Hon Mr Justice REYES
  The Hon Mr Justice FUNG
  The Hon Mrs Justice BARNES
  The Hon Mr Justice WRIGHT
  The Hon Mr Justice POON
  The Hon Mr Justice SAUNDERS
  The Hon Mr Justice SAW (w.e.f. 15.1.2007)
- Registrar, High Court
  Mr CHAN Cheuk, Christopher, BBS#
  Ms AU YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny (w.e.f. 1.8.2007)
- Deputy Registrars, High Court
  Mr HO Chi-yin, Andy
  Ms KWAN Ka-ching, Betty
  Mr LUNG Kim-wan

# Retired in 2007

District Court

- District Judges
  His Honour Judge LONGLEY
  Her Honour Judge CHUA
  Her Honour Judge CHAN#
  His Honour Judge WHALEY
  His Honour Judge de SOUZA
  His Honour Judge GILL
  His Honour Judge MUTTRIE#
  His Honour Judge Bruno CHAN
  Her Honour Judge WONG
  His Honour Judge TO
  His Honour Judge CHOW
  His Honour Judge CARLSON
  His Honour Judge LINE
  Her Honour Judge TOH
  His Honour Judge YUNG
  Her Honour Judge POON
  Her Honour Judge YUEN
  His Honour Judge PANG
  His Honour Judge GEISER
  His Honour Judge LOK
  Her Honour Judge AU YEUNG (up to 31.7.2007)
  His Honour Judge Louis CHAN
  Her Honour Judge NG
  Her Honour Judge CHU
  His Honour Judge LI (w.e.f. 1.2.2007)
  Her Honour Judge D'ALMADA REMEDIOS (w.e.f. 1.2.2007)
  His Honour Judge BROWNE (w.e.f. 1.2.2007)
  His Honour Judge WONG (w.e.f. 1.2.2007)
  His Honour Judge YAU (w.e.f. 1.2.2007)
  His Honour Judge Andrew CHAN (w.e.f. 1.2.2007)
  His Honour Judge MACKINTOSH (w.e.f. 1.2.2007)
  His Honour Judge Stanley CHAN (w.e.f. 2.4.2007)
  His Honour Judge LEUNG (w.e.f. 16.4.2007)
  Her Honour Judge MELLOY (w.e.f. 2.5.2007)
  Her Honour Judge Mimmie CHAN (w.e.f. 1.6.2007)
  His Honour Judge AU (w.e.f. 3.7.2007)

# Retired in 2007

Lands Tribunal

- Member, Lands Tribunal
  Mr LO Wai-kwong

Magistrates' Courts and other Tribunals

- Chief Magistrate
  Mr LI Hon-leung, Patrick (up to 31.1.2007)
- Principal Magistrates
  Mr JENKINS Michael Collier
  Mr TALLENTIRE Garry
  Mr KWOK Wai-kin
  Mr JENKINS Timothy Simon
  Mr LIN Kam-hung, Ernest Michael
  Mr TONG Man
  Mr MA Hon-cheung, Andrew
  Mr LAM Wai-kuen, Josiah
- Magistrates
  Mr LEUNG Wing-chung, Winston
  Mr THOMAS David Ian
  Ms CHAINRAI Bina
  Ms LOH Lai-kuen
  Mr LI Wai-chi
  Mr CHEUNG Wai-tat, Ronald
  Mr WAHAB Abu Bakar bin
  Mr TSANG Fan-hoi, Thomas*
  Mr LAU Wing-shing, Denis
  Mr CHAN Pik-kiu, Michael
  Mr MCNAIR Robert Bruce#
  Mr MIERCZAK Henry Anthony
  Mr YUEN Wai-ming, Anthony
  Mr DUFTON David John
  Mr CASEWELL Timothy Harry
  Miss D'ALMADA REMEDIOS Susana Maria (up to 31.1.2007)
  Mr BROWNE Kevin Anthony (up to 31.1.2007)
  Mr LAW Tak-chuen, Peter
  Mr CHOW Siu-wo, Anthony
  Mr YU Mun-kee, Roy
  Mr SMOUT Stephen
  Mr WONG Yat-ming, Michael (up to 31.1.2007)
  Ms KOT Sin-yee, Angela
  Mr PANG Chung-ping
  Mr SHAM Siu-man
  Mr KWOK Kai-on, Anthony
  Mr YIP Chor-man, Eddie
  Ms WOODCOCK Amanda Jane
  Mrs WU CHAU Yuen-man, Mary
  Mr AU Selwyn Hason, See-hin
  Mr YAU Chi-lap, Joseph (up to 31.1.2007)
  Mr HUI Shiu-keung, Peter
  Ms CHOW Yin-chu, Merinda
  Mrs LEVY LAW Katina Suet-mui
  Mr CHAN Chan-kok
  Mr CHAN Hing-wai, Andrew (up to 31.1.2007)
  Mr GLASS John Trevor
  Mr MACKINTOSH Colin Richard (up to 31.1.2007)
  Mr LAM Kui-po, William
  Mr LEE Ka-chai, Lambert
  Mr HUI Ka-ho
  Mr WONG Kin-tong, Jack
  Ms WOO Huey-fang, Bernadette
  Mr KWANG Cheok-weung, Simon
  Mr WONG Sung-hau
  Ms LO Kit-yee, Katherine
  Mr WONG Yu-wing, Symon
  Ms CHAN Ling-ling, Tracy
  Mr CHAN Kam-cheong, Rickie
  Mr TAM Lee-cheung
  Mr YIU Fun-che, Frankie
  Mr NG Sing-wai, William
  Mr WONG King-wah
  Mr TAM Kwok-wah
  Mr CHAN Jong-herng, Johnny
  Mrs TSE CHING Adriana Noelle
  Miss YIM Shun-yee, Ada
  Mr POON Siu-tung
  Mr KO King-sau, Justin
  Mr YAU Tak-hong, Douglas
  Mr WONG Wai-kuen
  Mr LAI Tat-cheung, Reuden
  Mr OWN George
  Mr MAK Kwok-cheung
  Mr TO Ho-shing
  Miss CHAN Yuk-fan, Grace
  Mr LO Kit-man, Simon
  Mr LEE Hing-nin, Clement
  Mr CHEANG Kei-hong
  Mr LAM Kar-yan, Gary
  Mr SO Man-lung, Don
- Special Magistrates
  Mr HO Kang-kei, Daniel
  Mr TAM Ka-huen
  Mr CHAN Yan-tong
  Mr CHAN Chi-kim
  Mr WONG Kwok-fai, Raymond
  Mr YU Cheuk-man (w.e.f. 16.7.2007)
  Miss NG Chung-yee, Debbie (w.e.f. 16.7.2007)
  Ms CHAN Wai-mun (w.e.f.16.7.2007)
  Miss HEUNG Shuk-han, Veronica (w.e.f. 23.7.2007)
  Mr CHU Chung-keung (w.e.f. 1.8.2007)
  Miss CHOW Pok-fun, Josephine (w.e.f. 3.9.2007)
* Left service in 2007
# Retired in 2007

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Court of Final Appeal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL

  Caseload Disposal*
  2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007
Applications for leave to appeal from the High Court            
- Criminal 107 63 64 86
(42)
81
(40)
62
(29)
- Civil 40 50 75 39
(23)
51
(30)
62
(40)
Total 147 113 139 125 132 124
Substantive appeals from
the High Court
           
- Criminal 14 12 10 13 15 12
- Civil 30 23 34 17 33 23
Total 44 35 44 30 48 35
Miscellaneous proceedings 0 1 3 0 1 3
* Case disposal refers to applications for leave to appeal/appeals which have been allowed, dismissed, withdrawn, abandoned or discontinued
  The figures in brackets indicate the number of applications dismissed under Rule 7 of the Court of Final Appeal Rules, Cap. 484A

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL

  Waiting Times (days)
  Target 2005 2006 2007
Applications for leave to appeal from the High Court        
From notice of hearing to hearing        
-Criminal 45 62 46 40
-Civil 35 49 38 37
Substantive appeals from
the High Court
       
From notice of hearing to hearing        
-Criminal 100 61 69 78
-Civil 120 118 91 110

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

High Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE HIGH COURT

Caseload Disposal *
  �@�@�@�@�@�@�@�@ 2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007
Court of Appeal
Appellate
- Criminal
  Appeals from the Court of First Instance 144 129 119 137 99 126
  Appeals from the District Court 393 391 357 354 312 375
  Sub-total 537 520 476 491 411 501
- Civil
  Appeals from the Court of First Instance 330 349 306 282 298 288
  Appeals from the District Court 40 43 53 49 36 37
  Miscellaneous Appeals 44 51 62 46 43 38
  Sub-total 414 443 421 377 377 363
Review of Sentences
- Criminal
  Reviews from the Court of First Instance 1 3 0 0 1 1
  Reviews from the District Court 3 7 7 0 6 5
  Reviews from the Magistrates' Courts 0 3 5 0 2 2
  Sub-total 4 13 12 0 9 8
  Total 955 976 909 868 797 872
* Case disposal refers to appeals/reviews which have been allowed, dismissed, withdrawn, discontinued or abandoned with or without court order
Caseload Disposal *
  �@�@�@�@�@�@�@�@ 2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007
Court of First Instance
Appellate
- Criminal
  Appeals from Magistrates' Courts 1 254 1 238 1 234 1 134 1 180 1 185
- Civil
  Appeals from Labour Tribunal 94 57 51 104 53 42
  Appeals from Small Claims Tribunals 109 60 81 65 34 50
  Appeals from Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board 5 11 12 6 13 5
  Miscellaneous Appeals 17 5 9 9 14 5
  Sub-total 225 133 153 184 114 102
  Total 1 479 1 371 1 387 1 318 1 294 1 287
               
First Instance
- Criminal Jurisdiction
  Criminal Cases 326 263 312 365 320 311
  Confidential Miscellaneous Proceedings 51 59 56 51 59 56
  Application for Discharge 0 1 0 0 1 0
  Sub-total 377 323 368 416 380 367
- Civil Jurisdiction
  High Court Actions 2 635 2 877 2 678 1 995 1 868 1 768
  Miscellaneous Proceedings 2 826 2 740 2 596 1 934 1 703 1 631
  Bankruptcy & Companies Winding-up+ 12 431 13 245 13 620 11 124 11 285 11 821
  Personal Injuries Actions 1 172 1 142 1 094 951 972 935
  Other cases # 626 599 516 308 278 238
  Sub-total 19 690 20 603 20 504 16 312 16 106 16 393
  Total 20 067 20 926 20 872 16 728 16 486 16 760
   
- Masters Chambers
  Interlocutory hearings** 26 653 28 381 30 429 25 082 26 755 28 575
  Taxation bills 1 031 1 039 1 036 977(1) 984(1) 976(1)
- Probate
  Applications 13 547 15 298 13 483 12 684 (2) 15 320 (2) 13 541 (2)
* Case disposal refers to appeals which have been allowed, dismissed, withdrawn, discontinued or abandoned with or without court order; criminal cases where defendants have been convicted or acquitted; and civil cases where claims have been successfully made or dismissed
+ Cases include bankruptcy proceedings, companies winding-up proceedings, applications for Interim Order (Bankruptcy) and applications to set aside Statutory Demands
# Other cases include constitutional and administrative law proceedings, admiralty actions, adoptions, bill of sale registrations, book debt registrations, commercial actions, construction and arbitration cases, matrimonial causes, probate actions and stop notices
** The caseload figure represents the number of interlocutory applications listed with hearings, and the disposal figure represents the number of the interlocutory applications heard in the reporting period
  Note (1) : Case disposal refers to taxation bills processed
  Note (2) : Case disposal refers to grants issued/grants resealed/estates administration completed by the Official Administrator in summary manner

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE HIGH COURT

    Waiting Times (days)
    Target 2005 2006 2007
Court of Appeal        
- Criminal cases - from setting down of a case to hearing 50 37 46 50
- Civil cases - from application to fix date to hearing 90 93 100 87
Court of First Instance        
- Criminal Fixture - from filing of indictment to hearing 120 193 119 109
- Criminal Running List - from setting down to hearing 90 69 66 57
- Civil Fixture - from application to fix date to hearing 180 233 124 114
- Civil Running List - from setting down to hearing 90 54 64 61
- Appeals from Magistrates' Courts - from lodging of Notice of Appeal to hearing 90 71 87 91

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

District Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE DISTRICT COURT

Caseload Disposal*
    2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007
- Criminal Jurisdiction
  Criminal Cases 1 349 1 199 1 240 1 248 1 151 1 152
- Civil Jurisdiction
  Civil 6 564 6 381 5 764 4 383 4 079 3 709
  Tax Claim 10 857 10 323 9 773 10 392 9 074 8 944
  Distress for Rent 7 453 6 194 5 392 7 419 6 233 5 388
  Employee's Compensation 1 550 1 791 1 534 1 190 1 481 1 769
  Other civil cases + 5 592 6 259 6 357 3 096 3 292 3 801
  Sub-total 32 016 30 948 28 820 26 480 24 159 23 611
- Divorce Jurisdiction            
  Cases 14 956 16 410 15 846 13 384 15 667 16 692
  Miscellaneous Proceedings 222 249 221 194 225 227
  Joint Applications 1 647 1 762 1 957 1 489 1 757 1 711
  Adoption Applications 122 123 107 97 110 91
  Sub-total 16 947 18 544 18 131 15 164(1) 17 759(1) 18 721(1)
  Total (Civil) 48 963 49 492 46 951 41 644 41 918 42 332
  Total 50 312 50 691 48 191 42 892 43 069 43 484
               
- Master Chambers            
  Interlocutory hearings** 10 596 10 953 10 596 10 326 10 656 10 323
- Taxation bills            
  Divorce 3 383 4 139 4 264 2 499 3 514 3 851
  Others 587 671 725 438 445 623
  Sub-total 3 970 4 810 4 989 2 937(2) 3 959(2) 4 474(2)
  Total 14 566 15 763 15 585 13 263 14 615 14 797
* Case disposal refers to those where defendants have been convicted or acquitted and those where claims have been successfully made or dismissed
+ Other civil cases include Miscellaneous Proceedings, Stamp Duty (Ordinance) Appeals, Equal Opportunities Actions, Personal Injuries Cases, Occupational Deafness (Compensation) Appeals, Pneumoconiosis (Compensation) Appeals and Estate Agents Appeals
** The caseload figure represents the number of interlocutory applications listed with hearings, and the disposal figure represents the number of the interlocutory applications heard in the reporting period
  Note (1) : Case disposal refers to Decree Absolute granted and Adoption orders made
  Note (2) : Case disposal refers to taxation bills processed

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE DISTRICT COURT

    Waiting Times (days)
    Target 2005 2006 2007
Criminal cases - from first appearance of defendants in District Court to hearing
100 112 117 98
Civil cases - from date of listing to hearing 120 120 125 58
Dissolution of marriage - from setting down to hearing
       
- Special procedure cases
35 29 45 33
- Defended cases (one day hearing)
110 120 115 119

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Magistrates' Courts

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

    Caseload Disposal *
    2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007
- Charge Cases 50 536 46 639 45 149 51 192 45 750 45 305
- Hawker Cases 12 161 11 820 11 065 12 176 11 819 11 069
- Departmental & Private Summonses 153 892 149 731 158 009 155 349 152 264 156 588
- Driving-Offence Points Summonses 3 258 4 114 4 460 3 123 3 660 4 379
- Fixed Penalty Summonses (Traffic) 855 1 004 1 103 880 906 1 134
- Fixed Penalty Summonses (Public Cleanliness Offences) 499 532 426 518 501 455
- Miscellaneous Proceedings 13 187 12 787 13 531 13 970 12 881 13 736
- Departmental Notice 2 038 1 675 1 766 2 105 1 822 1 767
- Fixed Penalty Notice (Traffic) 59 358 66 669 75 915 59 103 66 062 82 101
- Fixed Penalty Notice (Public Cleanliness Offences) 3 103 3 286 2 790 3 003 3 346 2 840
  Total 298 887 298 257 314 214 301 419 299 011 319 374
* Case disposal refers to cases where defendants have been convicted or acquitted after trial or hearing, pre-hearing payments of all penalties and costs, and applications which have been granted, refused, withdrawn or struck out

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

    Waiting Times (days)
    Target 2005 2006 2007
Summonses - from plea to date of trial
50 94 95 95
Charge Cases - from plea to date of trial
       
- Cases involving defendants in custody
30-45 44 42 47
- Cases involving defendants on bail
45-60 68 66 64

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Lands Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL

    Caseload Disposal*
    2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007
- Appeals 703 367 265 1 050 193 381
- Compensation cases 19 28 17 18 14 27
- Building management cases 393 343 494 252 642 346
- Tenancy cases 5 144 4 669 4 333 3 869 3 733 3 386
- Lands compulsory sale applications 6 54 14 2 5 11
- Miscellaneous proceedings applications 3 10 5 6 5 2
  Total 6 268 5 471 5 128 5 197 4 592 4 153
* Case disposal includes appeals which have been allowed or dismissed and trials or hearings which have been concluded

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE LANDS TRIBUNAL

    Waiting Times (days)
    Target 2005 2006 2007
From setting down of a case to hearing        
- Appeals
100 54 57 83
- Compensation cases 100 90 85 141
- Building management cases 100 49 48 54
- Tenancy cases 60 31 40 41

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Labour Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL

    Caseload Disposal*
    2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007
- Cases 6 900 6 524 6 160 6 570 6 543 6 066
- Reviews 221 188 126 232 189 137
- Restore claims 147 151 109 138 132 119
- Set-aside awards 183 173 141 161 175 130
  Total 7 451 7 036 6 536 7 101 7 039 6 452
* Case disposal refers to claims which have been concluded, including cases awarded, dismissed, settled, withdrawn and transferred

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL

    Waiting Times (days)
    Target 2005 2006 2007
- From appointment to filing of a case
30 13 12 10
- From filing of a case to first hearing
30 25 25 25

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Small Claims Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL

    Caseload Disposal*
    2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007
- Claims 80 472 76 925 68 797 81 796 72 599 69 770
- Reviews 228 260 320 213 224 251
  Total 80 700 77 185 69 117 82 009 72 823 70 021
* Case disposal refers to claims which have been made successfully or dismissed

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL

    Waiting Times (days)
    Target 2005 2006 2007
- From filing of a case to first hearing 60 44 43 42

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Obscene Articles Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL

    Caseload Disposal*
    2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007
- Articles for determination
22 916 76 929 69 055 25 340 76 623 69 596
- Articles for classification
1 746 1 766 1 157 1 747 1 755 1 159
- Articles for review
8 16 9 4 15 0
- Articles for reconsideration
0 3 0 1 3 0
  Total 24 670 78 714 70 221 27 092 78 396 70 755
* Case disposal refers to those articles which have been determined or classified; those in respect of which determination or classification is not required with consent of both parties; and those in respect of which determination or classification have been reviewed or reconsidered

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL

    Waiting Times (days)
    Target 2005 2006 2007
- From referral by a magistrate to commencement of determination of the subject matter of a court case
21 15 19 17
- From receipt of application to classification
5 2 2 2
- From receipt of application to review
35 21 27 26
- From receipt of application to reconsideration
35 - 32 -
* As there is no application for reconsideration filed for 2005 and 2007 (as at September), the waiting time is inapplicable

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Coroner's Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE CORONER'S COURT

    Caseload Disposal*
    2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007
- Death inquests with jury
152 186 152 150 181 155
- Death inquests without jury
39 32 23 39 29 30
  Total 191 218 175 189 210 185
* Case disposal refers to death inquests concluded

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE CORONER'S COURT

    Waiting Times (days)
    Target 2005 2006 2007
- From date of listing to hearing
42 48 43 36

Membership List of
the Steering Committee on Civil Justice Reform

- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice MA
Chief Judge of the High Court
- Members The Hon Mr Justice WOO
Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice HARTMANN
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Madam Justice CHU
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice BARMA
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice REYES
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice FUNG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    His Honour Judge LI
Acting Chief District Judge
(w.e.f. 17.9.2007)
    Madam Registrar Queeny AU YEUNG
Registrar, High Court
    His Honour Judge LOK
District Court Judge
    Mr LUNG Kim-wan
Deputy Registrar, High Court
    Deputy District Judge KO
- Secretary Ms Vega WONG
Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)

Membership List of the Working Party on Mediation

- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice LAM
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
- Members The Hon Madam Justice KWAN
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice REYES
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice FUNG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice SAUNDERS
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    Mr Simon LEE
Department of Justice
    Mr Thomas KWONG
Legal Aid Department
    Ms Teresa CHENG, SC
Hong Kong Bar Association
    Mr Victor DAWES
Hong Kong Bar Association
    Mr Norris YANG
Law Society of Hong Kong
    Mrs Cecilia WONG
Law Society of Hong Kong
    Mr CHAN Bing-woon, SBS, JP
Hong Kong Mediation Council
    Ms Sylvia SIU
Hong Kong Mediation Centre
- In Attendance Ms Annie TANG
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)
- Secretary Ms Joyce LEUNG
Senior Judiciary Executive (Development)2

Membership List of
the Working Party on Solicitors' Rights of Audience

- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice BOKHARY
Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
- Members The Hon Mr Justice MA
Chief Judge of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice TANG
Vice-President of the Court of Appeal
    The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice PANG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    Mr Robert ALLCOCK, BBS, JP
Department of Justice
(up to 31.1.2007)
    Mr Ian WINGFIELD, GBS, JP
Department of Justice
(w.e.f. 1.2.2007)
    Mr Peter BARNES
    Mr Andrew JEFFRIES
    Mrs Eleanor LING, SBS, OBE, JP
    Mr Joseph TSE, SC
    Mr Benjamin YU, SC
- Secretary Mr Stuart STOKER
Department of Justice

Membership List of the Court Users' Committees

Civil Court Users' Committee

- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice WOO, VP
Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
- Members The Hon Madam Justice YUEN, JA
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
    The Hon Madam Justice CHU
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
   

The Hon Mr Justice LAM
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court

   

His Honour Judge LOK
Acting Chief District Judge
(up to 16.9.2007)

   

His Honour Judge LI
Acting Chief District Judge
(w.e.f. 17.9.2007)

   

Mr Christopher CHAN
Registrar, High Court
(up to 31.7.2007)

   

Madam Registrar Queeny AU YEUNG
Registrar, High Court
(w.e.f. 1.8.2007)

   

Mr Joseph FOK, S.C.
Hong Kong Bar Association

   

Mr LAI Ting-hong
Law Society of Hong Kong

   

Mr Bernard M B HUI

   

Ms Ada CHUNG
Department of Justice
(up to 6.11.2007)

   

Ms Cathy WONG
Department of Justice
(w.e.f. 7.11.2007)

   

Ms Betty CHAN
Legal Aid Department
(up to 6.11.2007)

   

Mr Thomas KWONG
Legal Aid Department
(w.e.f. 7.11.2007)

    Ms Polly YIP
Official Receiver's Office
- In Attendance Ms Annie TANG
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)
(up to 6.11.2007)
    Mr NG Shek-hon
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(w.e.f. 7.11.2007)
    Ms Frieda LEUNG
Chief Judiciary Executive (Judicial Support)
- Secretary Mrs Susanna TSE
Senior Judiciary Executive (Development)1

Criminal Court Users' Committee

- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice PANG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
- Members The Hon Mr Justice TONG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice LUNN
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    His Honour Judge LOK
Acting Chief District Judge
(up to 16.9.2007)
    His Honour Judge LI
Acting Chief District Judge
(w.e.f. 17.9.2007)
    Mr Christopher CHAN
Registrar, High Court
(up to 31.7.2007)
    Madam Registrar Queeny AU YEUNG
Registrar, High Court
(w.e.f. 1.8.2007)
    Mr Patrick LI
Chief Magistrate
(up to 31.1.2007)
    Mr TONG Man
Acting Chief Magistrate
(w.e.f. 1.2.2007)
    Mr WONG Man-kit, S.C.
Hong Kong Bar Association
    Mr Stephen HUNG
Law Society of Hong Kong
    Dr Winnie TANG
    Mr Kevin ZERVOS, S.C.
Department of Justice
    Ms Margaret CHENG
Legal Aid Department
(up to 15.4.2007)
    Mr Thomas KWONG
Legal Aid Department
(w.e.f. 16.4.2007)
    Ms Grace WONG
Duty Lawyer Service
- Co-opted
Members

Mr Gerry OSBORN
Independent Commission Against Corruption
(up to 15.4.2007)
    Ms Rebecca LI
Independent Commission Against Corruption
(w.e.f. 16.4.2007)
    Mr NG Kam-wing
Hong Kong Police Force
- In Attendance Ms Annie TANG
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)
(up to 15.4.2007)
    Mr Augustine CHENG
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(from 16.4.2007 to 20.7.2007)
    Mr NG Shek-hon
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(w.e.f. 30.7.2007)
    Ms Frieda LEUNG
Chief Judiciary Executive (Judicial Support)
- Secretary Mrs Susanna TSE
Senior Judiciary Executive (Development)1

Family Court Users' Committee

- Chairman Her Honour Judge CHU
Judge-in-charge of the Family Court
- Members His Honour Judge CHAN
Family Court Judge
    Her Honour Judge MELLOY
Family Court Judge
(w.e.f. 18.6.2007)
    His Honour Judge LOK
Acting Chief District Judge
(up to 16.9.2007)
    His Honour Judge LI
Acting Chief District Judge
(w.e.f. 17.9.2007)
    Ms Jacqueline LEONG, S.C.
    Ms Corinne REMEDIOS
    Ms KONG Yuen-Hoong
    Mr Dennis HO
    Mr Robin EGERTON
    Mr Chris CHONG
Legal Aid Department
    Ms Anna MAK
Social Welfare Department
- In Attendance Mr Augustine CHENG
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(up to 20.7.2007)
    Mr NG Shek-hon
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(w.e.f. 30.7.2007)
    Mr Kenneth LIU
Chief Judiciary Clerk (Family Court)
- Secretary Mrs Susanna TSE
Senior Judiciary Executive (Development)1

Membership List of the Judicial Studies Board

- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice WOO
Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
- Members The Hon Mr Justice STOCK
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice SUFFIAD
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice TONG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mrs Justice BARNES
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    The Hon Mr Justice WRIGHT
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
    Ms Emma LAU
Judiciary Administrator
    Mr Christopher CHAN
Registrar, High Court
(up to 31.7.2007)
    Madam Registrar Queeny AU YEUNG
Registrar, High Court
(w.e.f. 1.8.2007)
    His Honour Judge LOK
Acting Chief District Judge
(up to 16.9.2007)
    His Honour Judge LI
Acting Chief District Judge
(w.e.f. 17.9.2007)
    Mr Patrick LI
Chief Magistrate
(up to 31.1.2007)
    Mr TONG Man
Acting Chief Magistrate
(w.e.f. 1.2.2007)
    Mr Gavin SHIU
Department of Justice
    Mr Clive GROSSMAN, SC
Hong Kong Bar Association
    Mr Alex LAI
The Law Society of Hong Kong
    Mr Eric CHEUNG
The University of Hong Kong
    Mr Tony UPHAM
City University of Hong Kong
    Professor Stephen HALL
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Secretary Mrs Anita LO
Chief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers)
(up to 12.8.2007)
    Ms Charling LI
Chief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers)
(w.e.f. 13.8.2007)

Judiciary Administration

Judiciary Administration

Ms Emma LAU, Judiciary Administrator

Operations Division

Mr Augustine CHENG, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations) [up to 20.7.2007]
Mr NG Sek-hon, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations) [w.e.f. 30.7.2007]
 
(a) Judicial Support's Office Ms Frieda LEUNG Chief Judiciary Executive (Judicial Support)1
(b) Clerk of Court's Office Mr Roger LAW Chief Judiciary Executive (Judicial Support)2 / Clerk of Court
(c) Court of Final Appeal Registry Mr Joe CHENG Acting Senior Judicial Clerk I (Court of Final Appeal)
(d) High Court Registry Ms Judy FUNG Chief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry)
(e) District Court Mr K H CHENG Chief Judicial Clerk (Registry, District Court)
    Mr Stanford KONG Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Courts, District Court)
(f) Family Court Registry Mr Kenneth LIU Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court)
(g) Lands Tribunal Registry Ms Evelyn CHEUNG Chief Judicial Clerk (Lands Tribunal)
(h) Magistrates' Courts General Office Mr James WONG Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies)
(i) Probate Registry Mr H F HUI Chief Probate Officer
(j) Labour Tribunal Registry Mr W M WONG Acting Registrar (Labour Tribunal)
(k) Small Claims Tribunal Registry Ms Gloria POON
Senior Judiciary Clerk I (Small Claims Tribunal) [up to 2.9.2007]
    Mr Calvin YAU Senior Judiciary Clerk I (Small Claims Tribunal) [w.e.f. 3.9.2007]
(l) CJR Integrated Team Mr Y M TAM Senior Judiciary Executive (Civil Justice Reform)1 [w.e.f. 5.11.2007]
(m) Court Language Section Ms Celina WONG Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)
    Ms Florence NG Acting Chief Court Interpreter
(n) Court Orders Section Mr Sunny KWAN Chief Bailiff (Administration and Admiralty)
    Mr T M CHOI Chief Bailiff (Operations)
(o) Complaints Office Ms Joanna CHUNG Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Complaints)
(p) Legal Reference and Library Section Ms CHAN Yok-fong Senior Judiciary Executive (Legal Reference and Library) [up to 31.7.2007]
    Ms Miranda FUNG Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Legal Reference and Library) [w.e.f. 1.8.2007]
(q) Court Reporters Office Ms Maggie CHENG
Senior Court Reporter (Development)
(r) Mediation Coordinator's Office Ms April LAM Mediation Coordinator

Development Division

Ms Annie TANG, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)
 
(a) Development Office Ms Vega WONG Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)
(b) Press & Public Relations Office Ms Claudia YEUNG Principal Information Officer [up to 30.6.2007]
    Ms Lina TING Principal Information Officer [w.e.f. 2.10.2007]

Quality Division

Ms Dora FU, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Operations)
 
(a) Information Technology Management Section Mr Danny NG Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Information Technology)
(b) Management Review Section Mrs Catherine KWAN Chief Judiciary Executive (Management Review)
(c) Management Information Section Ms Peggy CHAN Senior Judiciary Executive (Management Information)

Corporate Services Division

Mr Clement LI, Acting Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Corporate Services)
 
(a) Finance Section Ms Melody WONG Chief Judiciary Executive (Finance)
(b) Judges and Judicial Officers Section Mrs Anita LO Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers) [up to 12.8.2007]
    Ms Charling LI Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers) [w.e.f. 13.8.2007]
(c) Support Staff Section Ms Estella FUNG Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Service)
(d) Accommodation Section Mrs Lowell CHO Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Accommodation) [w.e.f. 9.10.2007]

Training Activities Organised /
Co-ordinated by the Judicial Studies Board

Date Activity
16.1.2007 * The 14th Annual Goff Arbitration Lecture on ��W(h)ither International Commercial Arbitration?��
17.1.2007 Talk on ��The Judicial Method Revisited�� by the Hon Mr Justice McHugh, Non-permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
17.1.2007 * Talk on ��Legal Principles and the Valuation of Land��
18.1.2007 * Seminar on ��A New Tax Adventure for Hong Kong - And the EU The HKSAR-Belgium Double Tax Treaty��
23.1.2007 * Talk on ��Thoughts on Cross-Examination��
29.1.2007 * Seminar on ��Message and Method: Lessons from the New Zealand Animal Welfare Scheme��
1.2.2007 * Public Lecture on ��The Transformation of Chinese Law - From formal to substantial��
2.2.2007 * Seminar on ��International E-Trade��
7 & 9.2.2007 * Workshop on ��Negotiation - Achieving Practical Skills as a Negotiator��
1.3 - 17.5.2007 Refresher Putonghua Course
2.3.2007 * Public Lecture on ��The Ecology of Chinese Corporate Governance��
9.3.2007 * Public Lecture on ��Tensions Between National Security and The Refugee Convention - New Zealand's Post 9/11 Experience��
17 - 18.3.2007 Seventh Multinational Judicial Colloquium
20.3.2007 * Common Law Lecture on ��The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom: a Constitutional Prelude��
21.3.2007 * Public Law Workshop
26.3.2007 Seminar on ��Risk Assessment, Treatment and Management of Sex Offenders��
28.3.2007 * Jerome Chan Memorial Lecture on ��A Law for International Sale of Goods��
31.3.2007 * Conference on ��Promoting Racial Harmony? Hong Kong's Race Discrimination Bill in International and Comparative Perspective��
14.4.2007 * Law Society Centenary Lecture on ��A Union with several Legal Systems - the European Experiences��
18.4.2007 * Lecture on ��Financial Regulatory Reform in post-WTO China��
24.4.2007 * Hochelaga Lectures 2007 on ��Competition Law in the 21st Century - Why Competition Law?��
25.4.2007 * Hochelaga Lectures 2007 on ��Competition Law in the 21st Century - How Competition Law?��
26.4.2007 * Hochelaga Lectures 2007 on ��Competition Law in the 21st Century - Informal Seminar on Competition Law��
26.4.2007 * Public Lecture on ��Post-SOX Corporate Governance Environment in the United States��
29.4 - 3.5.2007 Seventh Worldwide Common Law Judiciary Conference
3 - 5.5.2007 * Teacher Training & Pupils Advocacy Programme
4.5.2007 * Roundtable on ��Cyberspace and Privacy: The Challenge in the Yahoo! Case��
8.5.2007 * Talk on ��Religion and Human Rights��
14.5.2007 * Public Lecture on ��Lessons for Asia in Investment Dispute Settlement��
19.5.2007 Briefing-cum-visit to the Government Laboratory
5.6.2007 * AIIFL Seminar on ��A System of Selective Substitute Compliance��
5.6.2007 * Public Lecture on ��The 50th Anniversary of the Anti-Rightist Movement: Its Contemporary Significance��
6.6.2007 * Paul Hastings Visiting Professorship Public Lecture on ��Public Enforcement of Securities Laws��
8.6.2007 * 20th Biennial LawAsia Conference
20.6.2007 * AIIFL Seminar on ��Directors' Duty of Care in Australia - A Reform Model?��
22 - 23.6.2007 * Hong Kong SAR Basic Law Tenth Anniversary International Conference on ��Hong Kong's Basic Law: The First Ten Years and Its Future��
23.6.2007 Visit to the Cape Collinson Correctional Institution and Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department
25.6.2007 * Joint Seminar on ��Human Rights in Securities Regulation��
30.7 - 24.8.2007 Tsinghua University Chinese Judgment Writing Course
7.9 - 16.11.2007 Chinese Judgment Writing (run by the University of Hong Kong)
14.9.2007 * Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention SRACP - Golden Jubilee Speech cum Forums
14.9.2007 * Independent Commission Against Corruption: ��Ethics - The Core Value of Leadership�� 2007 Directors' Forum
19.9.2007 * Mediation Talk
20.9.2007 * Mediation Theatre
27.9.2007 * Public Lecture on ��Some Difficulties of Having Law��
27.9.2007 * Talk on ��All Change��
3.10.2007 * Public Lecture on ��Sustainability Considerations for Infrastructure Development��
16.10.2007 * Seminar on ��The Tools of Government��
16 - 17.10.2007 * International Conference on ��Terrorism, Human Security and Development: Human Rights Perspectives��
18.10.2007 * Symposium on ��Entrepreneurialism, Risk Assessment & Private Investment in China��
24.10.2007 Judgment Writing Course Lecture on ��Judgment Writing: The View from Outside��
24 - 27.10.2007 Judgment Writing Course
25.10.2007 * Common Law Lecture on ��The Contemporary Responsibilities of the Common Law Judge��
25.10.2007 Judgment Writing Course Lecture on ��Decisions That Convince: Principles and Practice��
26.10.2007 Judgment Writing Course Lecture on ��Some Personal Reflections on Judgment Writing��
26 - 27 & 29 - 31.10.2007 Mediation Skills Training Course
2 - 3.11.2007 * Mediation Workshop on ��Mediation in Commercial Disputes��
2 - 3.11.2007 *International Conference on ��The Chinese Judge and International and Comparative Law��
3.11.2007 Briefing on the Interface between Part II and Guardianship Order under Mental Health Ordinance (Cap. 136)
7.11.2007 * Public Lecture on ��Jurisprudential Perspectives of Taxation Law��
10 - 11.11.2007 Mainland China and Hong Kong - A Comparative Study on Court Trial
16.11.2007 *Seminar on ��Buddhist Pine�� Tree
17.11.2007 District Court Sentencing Conference
21.11.2007 * Seminar on ��Update of Harbour Reclamation��
22.11.2007 *Public Lecture on ��ASEAN After 40: Charter, Norms, and Legalization��
26.11.2007 *Public Lecture on ��Developing Court-Linked Mediation for Civil and Commercial Disputes in the English Courts��
28.11.2007 *Public Lecture on ��Workplace Fairness in a Global Economy��
30.11.2007 *Seminar on ��Corporate Governance in the U.S.: A Brief History and Present Standards��
30.11 & 1.12.2007 Mediation Conference
4.12.2007 *AIIFL Seminar on ��Reducing Systemic and Legal Risk in International Derivatives Markets��
4 - 5.12.2007 *The 6th International Forum on Online Dispute Resolution
8.12.2007 Magistrates' Conference
10 - 11.12.2007 *Third Asian Competition Law Conference 2007
12.12.2007 *Public Lecture on ��Japanese and Chinese Competition Laws in the Context of An Emerging Global Consensus��
13.12.2007 *Public Lecture on ��China's New Enterprise Income Tax Law��
17.12.2007 *AIIFL Seminar on ��Defacto Multi-jurisdictional Context Within a Formally Unitary State: Tax in China��
18.12.2007 *Seminar on ��Islamic Finance��
22.12.2007 *Public Lecture on ��Globalisation and Legal Education��

* Organised by Local Outside Organisations

Number of Visits and Visitors to the Judiciary in 2006 and 2007

  2006 2007
(as at 30 Sep)
Local    
No. of visits 290 136
No. of visitors 10 284 4 263
The Mainland of China    
No. of visits 35 26
No. of visitors 599 535
Overseas    
No. of visits 23 15
No. of visitors 302 229
Total    
No. of visits 348 177
No. of visitors 11 185 5 027

  Number of Visitors
Category of Visitors 2006 2007
(as at 30 Sep)
Judges and legal profession 459 333
Government officials 382 198
Students and others 10 344 4 496
Total 11 185 5 027

Expenditure and Revenue of the Judiciary for 2006-2007

Recurrent Account Expenditure

    2006-2007 ($' 000)
- Personal Emoluments 655,368
- Departmental Expenses 195,160
- Other Charges 6,208
  Total 856,736

Revenue*

    2006-2007 ($' 000)
- Fees & Charges 222,079
- Fines 226,309
- Forfeitures & Others 50,448
  Total 498,836

* Revenue collected by the Judiciary forms part of the Government's General Revenue

Number of Complaints Against Judges and Judicial Officers

  Nature of Complaints 2007 (up to 30 Sep)
(1) Complaints against judges' decisions 34
(2) Complaints against judges' conduct 30
(3) Complaints against both the judicial decisions
and the judge's conduct
29
  Total 93
Note
(a) Item (2) includes complaints concerning the handling of complaints by court leaders.
(b) The total no. of cases disposed of by Judges and Judicial Officers in 2007 (up to 30 Sep) is 420,350.

Number of Complaints Against the Judiciary Administration

  Nature of Complaints 2007*
(up to 30 Sep)
- Complaints about procedures 32
- Complaints about facilities 21
- Complaints about the judicial support services 10
- Complaints against staff of the Judiciary Administration 68
  Total 131
* Oral complaints included
Last Update Date : 05-01-2009