Hong Kong Judiciary Annual Report 2009

	This Report highlights the major developments and events of the Judiciary, provides the statistics on caseload and waiting time for various levels of court and gives other information about the operation of the Judiciary in the year of 2009.

	Civil Justice Reform
	2. The Civil Justice Reform was implemented on 2 April 2009 as scheduled. Progress has since been monitored under a new Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee set up under the Chairmanship of the Chief Judge, High Court, the Hon Mr Justice Ma. The Monitoring Committee draws contributions from Judges of different court levels, as well as members from the legal and mediation profession and members from the legal departments of the Administration. The objective of the Monitoring Committee is to oversee the working of the reformed system and to make suggestions to the Chief Justice to ensure the system’s effective operation.

	Mediation
	3. An objective of the Civil Justice Reform is to facilitate the settlement of disputes. Courts have the duty as part of active case management to further this objective by encouraging and facilitating the use of alternative dispute resolution procedures such as mediation.

	4. To this effect, two Practice Directions on mediation in specific areas were implemented in 2009: Practice Direction 6.1 on the Construction and Arbitration List in April 2009 and LTPD: BM No. 1/2009 on Case Management and Mediation in Building Management Cases in July 2009.

	5. On 1 January 2010, two new Practice Directions on mediation will be implemented: Practice Direction 31 on Mediation which aims to assist the courts as part of case management to facilitate the settlement of disputes by encouraging parties to use mediation; and Practice Direction 3.3 which is specifically for mediation in petitions presented under sections 168A and 177(1)(f) of the Companies Ordinance, Cap. 32.

	6. In addition, to better assist the parties to understand the nature of mediation, a new Mediation Information Office will be launched on 4 January 2010 to provide relevant information. The Office will be located in the High Court Building.

	Recruitment of Judges and Judicial Officers
	7. A series of recruitment exercises were conducted this year with a view to reinforcing judicial manpower resources at various levels of court. On the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission and with the approval of the Chief Executive, 24 and 11 judicial appointments took effect on 28 September 2009 and 1 December 2009 respectively.

	Relocation of the Court of Final Appeal
	8. In April 2009, the Chief Executive announced that the Administration had agreed to hand over the Legislative Council Building to the Judiciary for the relocation of the Court of Final Appeal upon the move of the Legislative Council to the new Tamar site.

	9. We welcome the Administration's agreement. The existing building of the Court of Final Appeal is manifestly inadequate for Judges and court users. The relocation will result in much improvement and enhance the smooth functioning of the Court. We will plan the relocation carefully and every effort will be made to ensure that the functioning of the Court will not be affected during the relocation.

	Judiciary Administration
	10. The Judiciary Administration continues to strive to provide quality services in support of the administration of justice. We are delighted that the Registry of the Lands Tribunal obtained the ISO 9001:2000 re-certification for its Registry and Court Support Services in May while the General Offices of seven Magistrates' Courts, the Registries of the Small Claim Tribunal and the Bailiff Section also achieved good results in the 2009 surveillance audits for ISO certification.

	11. We hope that you will enjoy reading this Report and gain a better understanding of our work.

	Andrew Li Chief Justice

Highlights of Events 2009

January

12	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li declared opening of the 2009 Legal Year
13	A 40-member delegation from eight overseas law societies and bar associations visited the Judiciary
15-16	The Hon Mr Justice Michael J Hartmann, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, and the Hon Mr Justice Darryl G Saw, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Conference on Direct Judicial Communications on Family Law Matters and the Development of Judicial Networks in Brussels, Belgium
22-23	Her Honour Judge Sharon D Melloy, District Judge, visited the Principal Registry of the Family Division of the High Court in London, United Kingdom

February

2-12	Mr Simon Kwang, Acting Registrar of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the Special Commission Meeting on the Practical Operation of Four Hague Conventions in The Hague, the Netherlands
23	The Hon Mr Justice Henry Denis Litton, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, gave a talk on "The Firm Habits of Highly Effective Judges" at the High Court
24	Mr Zhao Dacheng, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

March

10	A 10-member delegation of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
13	A 14-member delegation of Mainland judges visited the Judiciary
26	A six-member delegation from the Civil Justice Council, the United Kingdom, visited the Judiciary
27	A six-member delegation from Tianjian Municipal Supervision Bureau, the People's Republic of China, led by Chairman Mr Tang Hainan, visited the Judiciary
31	Judge Chuck Miller, Senior Trial and Appellate Judge on Assignment from the Texas Supreme Court, the United States, visited the Judiciary

April

3	Academics and anti-corruption experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, the Mainland and Macao visited the Judiciary
5	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li delivered opening remarks and chaired a discussion session at the Patron Chief Justices' Meeting of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute
6	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li delivered an opening address at the 16th Commonwealth Law Conference
7	The Hon Rob Hulls, Deputy Premier, Attorney-General and Minister for Racing of the State of Victoria, Australia, visited the Judiciary
8	The Hon Chief Justice Georgina T. Woods of Ghana visited the Judiciary
9	A 10-member delegation of judges from Ghana visited the Judiciary
21-22	A three-member delegation from the Singapore Legal Aid Bureau and the Ministry of Law visited the Judiciary
25.4-3.5	The Hon Mr Justice R A V Ribeiro, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended a conference on the 50th anniversary of the French National School for the Judiciary (L'Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature) in Bordeaux, France

May

15-17	His Honour Judge Kevin A Browne, District Judge, attended the Conference on Corporate Crime and the Credit Crunch in Dublin, Ireland
18	A 30-member delegation of Mainland judges studying for Master of Laws at the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary
21-22	A 37-member delegation from the Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges visited the Judiciary
29.5-1.6	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li attended the Qatar Law Forum in Doha, Qatar

June

6-11	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li; the Hon Mr Justice Patrick Chan, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal; the Hon Mr Justice Geoffrey Ma, Chief Judge of the High Court; the Hon Mr Justice Louis Tong and the Hon Mr Justice Andrew Cheung, Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, on the invitation of the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China, called on Mainland judges and visited courts at Shandong and Henan to exchange views and experiences
9	A five-member delegation from the Taiwan Judiciary visited the Judiciary
15	A 28-member delegation of Mainland judges attending the Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges at the Law School of the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary
20-24	The Hon Madam Justice Susan Kwan and the Hon Mr Justice Aarif T Barma, Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Eighth Multinational Judicial Colloquium on Insolvency and INSOL 2009 Quadrennial Congress in Vancouver, Canada
26	The term of office of 12 Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal consisting of four Hong Kong judges and eight judges from other common law jurisdictions was extended for a period of three years: Non-permanent Hong Kong Judges Sir Noel Plunkett Power, GBS Mr Gerald Paul Nazareth, GBS Mr John Barry Mortimer, GBS The Hon Henry Denis Litton, GBM Non-permanent Judges from Other Common Law Jurisdictions Mr Michael McHugh The Rt. Hon Sir Thomas Munro Gault The Hon Sir Anthony Mason The Hon Sir Gerard Brennan 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 the Lord Hoffmann

July

7	The Hon Mr Justice Frank Stock, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, was appointed as Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
13	Members of the Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services of the Legislative Council visited the Judiciary
21	A 13-member delegation of educators attending the Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Programme (Language Group) of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, the United States, visited the Judiciary
28-31	The Hon Mr Justice R A V Ribeiro, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the Law Conference on Legal Boundaries, Common Problems and the Role of Supreme Courts in London, United Kingdom
29	A 11-member delegation of educators attending the Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Programme (History Group) of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, the United States, visited the Judiciary
31	The Hon Mr Justice Geoffrey Ma, Chief Judge of the High Court, gave a talk to the Law Reform Consultative Committee of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government in Macao

August

4-7	The Hon Mr Justice Peter Cheung, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court and Her Honour Judge Bebe Chu, District Judge, attended the International Family Justice Judicial Conference for Common Law and Commonwealth Jurisdictions in London, United Kingdom
7-9	The Hon Mr Justice K K Pang, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended a conference on "Anti-Torture and Judicial Reform in China" in Beijing
17-20	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li, on the invitation of the Chief Justice of Singapore, called on judges and visited various levels of court in Singapore. The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li also delivered a talk on the Development of the Common Law in Hong Kong under "One Country, Two Systems" at the Singapore Academy of Law Annual Lecture 2009
23-26	Her Honour Judge Sharon D Melloy, District Judge, attended the Fifth World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

September

2	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li decided to take early retirement, ceasing service on 31.8.2010 and commencing pre-retirement leave on 1.9.2010
4	A 10-member delegation from five Mainland Justice Bureaux visited the Judiciary
16	A 45-member delegation of Mainland judges visited the Judiciary
17	A 13-member Guangdong-Hong Kong legal affairs study delegation, led by Mr Yang Rihua, Deputy Director-General, Department of Justice, Guangdong, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
23-25	Master Katina Levy, Deputy Registrar of the High Court, visited the High Court Registry of the United Kingdom
28	The Honourable Madam Justice Susan Kwan was appointed as Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court His Honour Judge Anthony To, His Honour Judge Peter J Line, Her Honour Judge Maggie Poon, His Honour Judge Derek Pang, and His Honour Judge Colin R Mackintosh were appointed as Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court Her Honour Judge Bebe Chu was appointed as Principal Family Court Judge Mr Garry Tallentire, Mr Eddie Yip Chor-man, Mrs Katina Levy LAW Suet-mui, Mr Chan Chan-kok, Mr Simon Kwang Cheok-weung, Mr Albert Wong Sung-hau, Mr Frankie Yiu Fun-che, Mr Wong King-wah, Mr Poon Siu-tung, Mr Justin Ko King-sau and Mr Douglas Yau Tak-hong were appointed as District Judges Mr Anthony Chow Siu-wo, Mr Anthony Kwok Kai-on and Mr TAM Lee-cheung were appointed as Principal Magistrates Mr Raymond Wong Kwok-fai, Ms Chan Wai-mun and Miss Josephine Chow Pok-fun were appointed as Magistrates

October

1	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li; the Hon Mr Justice Geoffrey Ma, Chief Judge of the High Court; the Hon Mr Justice Anthony G Rogers, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court and the Hon Mr Justice Barnabas Fung, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing
10-18	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li attended the Opening Ceremony of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and took part in speaking engagements hosted by the University of Cambridge Hong Kong and China Affairs Society, the Hong Kong Society, the Committee of the Hong Kong Association, and the London School of Economics Student Union Hong Kong Public Affairs and Social Service Society in London, United Kingdom
19	An eight-member delegation from Supreme People's Court of People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
22-23	A 20-member delegation from Dongguan Number Two People's Court of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
27	A nine-member delegation from the Supreme Court of the Philippines visited the Judiciary

November

3	An eight-member delegation of officials from the Ministry of Justice, the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
3	Judge Moshe Gal, Director of Courts in Israel and President of a District Court, together with another Israeli Judge visited the Judiciary
8-12	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li attended the 13th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
20	Mr Benjamin Yu, SC was re-appointed as Recorder of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
24	The Rt. Hon the Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, gave a talk on "The first nine years of the UK Human Rights Act" at the High Court
24	An 11-member delegation from the High People's Court of Guangdong Province visited the Judiciary
27-28	The Hon Mr Justice Anselmo F T Reyes, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the International Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Conference in Sydney, Australia

December

His Honour Judge H C Au was appointed as Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court

Mr Jonathan R Harris, SC was appointed as Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court

Mr Pang Ka-kwong, Mr Wong Lai-wing, Mr Dick Ho Chin-pang, Mr Simon Lui Kin-man, Mr Lawrence Yip Sue-pui, Mr So Wai-tak, Mr Cheung Kwan-ming, Mr Jason Wan Siu-ming and Miss Ivy Chui Yee-mei were appointed as Magistrates

The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li delivered a keynote address on "Fighting Corruption under the Rule of Law" at the 4th ICAC Symposium

A 47-member delegation from the Hainan Provincial Procuratorate 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, GBM
-	Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal
	The Hon Mr Justice S K S BOKHARY
	The Hon Mr Justice Patrick CHAN
	The Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO
-	Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal
	Mr William James SILKE (up to 27.7.2009)
	Mr Kutlu Tekin FUAD (up to 27.7.2009)
	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 (up to 27.7.2009)
	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 (up to 27.7.2009)
	Mr Michael McHUGH
	The Rt Hon Sir Thomas Munro GAULT
	Mr Murray GLEESON (w.e.f. 1.3.2009)
	The Rt Hon the Lord WALKER of Gestingthorpe (w.e.f. 1.3.2009)
	The Rt Hon the Lord NEUBERGER of Abbotsbury (w.e.f. 1.3.2009)

*	It is with great sadness that Sir Noel Plunkett POWER, GBS passed away on 19.11.2009

High Court

-	Chief Judge of the High Court
	The Hon Mr Justice Geoffrey MA
-	Justices of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
	The Hon Mr Justice Michael STUART-MOORE, V-P #
	The Hon Mr Justice Anthony G ROGERS, V-P
	The Hon Mr Justice K H WOO, GBS, V-P
	The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG, SBS, V-P
	The Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK, V-P (w.e.f. 7.7.2009)
	The Hon Mrs Justice Doreen LE PICHON, JA
	The Hon Mr Justice Peter CHEUNG, JA
	The Hon Mr Justice Wally YEUNG, JA
	The Hon Madam Justice Maria C YUEN, JA
	The Hon Mr Justice Michael J HARTMANN, JA
	The Hon Madam Justice Susan KWAN, JA (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
-	Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
	The Hon Mr Justice David YAM
	The Hon Mr Justice Michael P BURRELL #
	The Hon Mrs Justice Verina S BOKHARY
	The Hon Mr Justice K K PANG
	The Hon Mr Justice William D STONE
	The Hon Madam Justice Clare-Marie BEESON
	The Hon Mr Justice Azizul R SUFFIAD
	The Hon Mr Justice Arjan H SAKHRANI
	The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHUNG
	The Hon Madam Justice Carlye CHU
	The Hon Mr Justice Louis TONG
	The Hon Madam Justice Susan KWAN (up to 27.9.2009)
	The Hon Mr Justice Michael A McMAHON
	The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM
	The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG
	The Hon Mr Justice Michael V LUNN
	The Hon Mr Justice Aarif T BARMA
	The Hon Mr Justice Anselmo F T REYES
	The Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG
	The Hon Mrs Justice Judianna W L BARNES
	The Hon Mr Justice Alan R WRIGHT
	The Hon Mr Justice S C POON
	The Hon Mr Justice John L SAUNDERS
	The Hon Mr Justice Darryl G SAW
	The Hon Mr Justice Anthony TO (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	The Hon Mr Justice Peter J LINE (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	The Hon Madam Justice Maggie POON (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	The Hon Mr Justice Derek PANG (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	The Hon Mr Justice Colin R MACKINTOSH (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	The Hon Mr Justice H C AU (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
	The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
-	Recorders of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
	Miss Jacqueline Pamela LEONG, SC (up to 30.11.2009)
	Mr KWOK Hing-wai, Kenneth, BBS, SC, JP (up to 30.11.2009)
	Mr Lawrence LOK, SC (up to 30.11.2009)
	Mr Benjamin YU, SBS, SC, JP
	Mr Joseph P FOK, SC, JP (up to 30.11.2009)
	Mr FUNG Pak-tung, Patrick, SC
	Mr Andrew Colin MACRAE, SC
	Mr Ambrose HO, SC, JP
	Mr JAT Sew-tong, SC
	Mr CHAN Kin-keung, Anthony, SC
	Mr Rimsky YUEN, SC
	Mr SHIEH Wing-tai, Paul, SC
-	Registrar, High Court
	Ms AU YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny
-	Deputy Registrars, High Court
	Mr HO Chi-yin, Andy
	Ms KWAN Ka-ching, Betty #
	Mr LUNG Kim-wan

#	Retired in 2009

District Court

-	Chief District Judge
	His Honour Judge Patrick LI
-	Principal Family Court Judge
	Her Honour Judge Bebe CHU (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
-	District Judges
	His Honour Judge Peter K M LONGLEY
	His Honour Judge Bernard W K WHALEY #
	His Honour Judge Brian L de SOUZA
	His Honour Judge Bruno CHAN
	Her Honour Judge H C WONG
	His Honour Judge Anthony TO (up to 27.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge Stephen CHOW
	His Honour Judge Ian E CARLSON
	His Honour Judge Peter J LINE (up to 27.9.2009)
	Her Honour Judge Esther TOH
	His Honour Judge Y W YUNG
	Her Honour Judge Maggie POON (up to 27.9.2009)
	Her Honour Judge Mary YUEN
	His Honour Judge Derek PANG (up to 27.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge Stephen J GEISER
	His Honour Judge David LOK
	His Honour Judge Louis CHAN
	Her Honour Judge Marlene NG
	Her Honour Judge Bebe CHU (up to 27.9.2009)
	Her Honour Judge Susana M D'ALMADA REMEDIOS
	His Honour Judge Kevin A BROWNE
	His Honour Judge Michael WONG
	His Honour Judge Joseph YAU
	His Honour Judge Andrew CHAN
	His Honour Judge Colin R MACKINTOSH (up to 27.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge Stanley CHAN
	His Honour Judge C M LEUNG
	Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY
	Her Honour Judge Mimmie CHAN
	His Honour Judge H C AU (up to 30.11.2009)
	His Honour Judge Garry TALLENTIRE (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge Eddie YIP (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	Her Honour Judge Katina LEVY (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge C K CHAN (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge Simon KWANG (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge Albert WONG (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge Frankie YIU (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge K W WONG (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge S T POON (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge Justin KO (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	His Honour Judge Douglas YAU (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)

#	Retired in 2009

Lands Tribunal

-	Member, Lands Tribunal
	Mr LO Wai-kwong

Magistrates' Courts and other Tribunals

-	Chief Magistrate
	Mr TONG Man
-	Principal Magistrates
	Mr TALLENTIRE Garry (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr KWOK Wai-kin
	Mr JENKINS Timothy Simon *
	Mr LIN Kam-hung, Ernest Michael
	Mr MA Hon-cheung, Andrew
	Mr LAM Wai-kuen, Josiah
	Mr CHOW Siu-wo, Anthony (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	Mr KWOK Kai-on, Anthony (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	Mr TAM Lee-cheung (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
-	Magistrates
	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 LAU Wing-shing, Denis
	Mr CHAN Pik-kiu, Michael
	Mr MIERCZAK Henry Anthony
	Mr YUEN Wai-ming, Anthony
	Mr DUFTON David John
	Mr CASEWELL Timothy Harry
	Mr LAW Tak-chuen, Peter
	Mr CHOW Siu-wo, Anthony (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr YU Mun-kee, Roy
	Mr SMOUT Stephen
	Ms KOT Sin-yee, Angela
	Mr PANG Chung-ping
	Mr SHAM Siu-man
	Mr KWOK Kai-on, Anthony (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr YIP Chor-man, Eddie (up to 27.9.2009)
	Ms WOODCOCK Amanda Jane
	Mrs WU CHAU Yuen-man, Mary
	Mr AU See-hin, Selwyn Hason
	Mr HUI Shiu-keung, Peter
	Ms CHOW Yin-chu, Merinda
	Mrs LEVY LAW Suet-mui, Katina (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr CHAN Chan-kok (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr GLASS John Trevor
	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 (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr WONG Sung-hau (up to 27.9.2009)
	Ms LO Kit-yee, Katherine
	Mr WONG Yu-wing, Symon
	Ms CHAN Ling-ling, Tracy
	Mr CHAN Kam-cheong, Rickie
	Mr TAM Lee-cheung (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr YIU Fun-che, Frankie (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr NG Sing-wai, William
	Mr WONG King-wah (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr TAM Kwok-wah
	Mr CHAN Jong-herng, Johnny
	Mrs TSE CHING Adriana Noelle
	Miss YIM Shun-yee, Ada
	Mr POON Siu-tung (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr KO King-sau, Justin (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr YAU Tak-hong, Douglas (up to 27.9.2009)
	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
	Mr WONG Kwok-fai, Raymond (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	Ms CHAN Wai-mun (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	Miss CHOW Pok-fun, Josephine (w.e.f. 28.9.2009)
	Mr PANG Ka-kwong (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
	Mr WONG Lai-wing (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
	Mr HO Chin-pang, Dick (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
	Mr LUI Kin-man, Simon (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
	Mr YIP Sue-pui, Lawrence (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
	Mr SO Wai-tak (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
	Mr CHEUNG Kwan-ming (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
	Mr WAN Siu-ming, Jason (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
	Miss CHUI Yee-mei, Ivy (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
-	Special Magistrates
	Mr HO Kang-kei, Daniel
	Mr TAM Ka-huen
	Mr CHAN Chi-kim
	Mr WONG Kwok-fai, Raymond (up to 27.9.2009)
	Mr YU Cheuk-man
	Miss NG Chung-yee, Debbie
	Ms CHAN Wai-mun (up to 27.9.2009)
	Miss HEUNG Shuk-han, Veronica
	Mr CHU Chung-keung
	Miss CHOW Pok-fun, Josephine (up to 27.9.2009)

*	It is with great sadness that Mr JENKINS Timothy Simon passed away on 1.9.2009
#	Retired in 2009

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*
	2007	2008	2009	2007	2008	2009
Applications for leave to appeal from the High Court
- Criminal	64	76	76	62 (29)	74 (45)	75 (41)
- Civil	75	82	60	62 (40)	66 (40)	86 (42)
Total	139	158	136	124	140	161
Substantive appeals from the High Court
- Criminal	10	12	11	12	8	10
- Civil	34	30	22	23	36	26
Total	44	42	33	35	44	36
Miscellaneous proceedings	3	2	2	3	2	1

*	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	2007	2008	2009
Applications for leave to appeal from the High Court
From notice of hearing to hearing
-Criminal	45	40	40	37
-Civil	35	37	35	32
Substantive appeals from the High Court
From notice of hearing to hearing
-Criminal	100	78	89	78
-Civil	120	110	95	105

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

High Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE HIGH COURT

		Caseload			Disposal *
		2007	2008	2009	2007	2008	2009
Court of Appeal
Appellate
-	Criminal
	Appeals from the Court of First Instance	119	126	131	126	129	111
	Appeals from the District Court	357	304	346	375	357	314
	Sub-total	476	430	477	501	486	425
-	Civil
	Appeals from the Court of First Instance	306	313	213	288	295	219
	Appeals from the District Court	53	29	37	37	37	26
	Miscellaneous Appeals	62	43	35	38	39	36
	Sub-total	421	385	285	363	371	281
Review of Sentences
-	Criminal
	Reviews from the Court of First Instance	0	2	1	1	2	2
	Reviews from the District Court	7	5	7	5	6	7
	Reviews from the Magistrates' Courts	5	2	1	2	7	1
	Sub-total	12	9	9	8	15	10
	Total	909	824	771	872	872	716

*	Case disposal refers to appeals/reviews which have been allowed, dismissed, withdrawn, discontinued or abandoned with or without court order

		Caseload			Disposal *
		2007	2008	2009	2007	2008	2009
Court of First Instance
Appellate
-	Criminal
	Appeals from Magistrates' Courts	1 234	1 125	1 043	1 185	1 156	996
-	Civil
	Appeals from Labour Tribunal	51	47	42	42	50	41
	Appeals from Small Claims Tribunal	81	50	53	50	59	50
	Appeals from Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board	12	10	8	5	13	5
	Miscellaneous Appeals	9	4	10	5	7	6
	Sub-total	153	111	113	102	129	102
	Total	1 387	1 236	1 156	1 287	1 285	1 098

First Instance
-	Criminal Jurisdiction
	Criminal Cases	312	311	425	311	301	367
	Confidential Miscellaneous Proceedings	56	64	64	56	64	64
	Application for Discharge	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Sub-total	368	375	489	367	365	431
-	Civil Jurisdiction
	High Court Actions	2 678	2 784	2 574	1 768	1 741	1 891
	Miscellaneous Proceedings	2 596	2 631	2 701	1 631	1 679	1 761
	Bankruptcy & Companies Winding-up+	13 620	14 500	19 693	11 821	11 629	17 105
	Personal Injuries Actions	1 094	951	872	935	927	677
	Other cases ^#	516	537	611	238	253	330
	Sub-total	20 504	21 403	26 451	16 393	16 229	21 764
	Total	20 872	21 778	26 940	16 760	16 594	22 195

-	Masters Chambers
	Interlocutory hearings^**	30 429	29 287	35 574	28 575	26 660	34 176
	Taxation bills	1 036	1 043	1 032	976⁽¹⁾	970⁽¹⁾	958⁽¹⁾
-	Probate
	Applications	13 483	13 339	14 676	13 541⁽²⁾	12 958⁽²⁾	14 466⁽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, applications under the Mental Health Ordinance, 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	2007	2008	2009
Court of Appeal
-	Criminal cases - from setting down of a case to hearing	50	50	42	50
-	Civil cases - from application to fix date to hearing	90	87	85	94
Court of First Instance
-	Criminal Fixture - from filing of indictment to hearing	120	109	112	137
-	Criminal Running List - from setting down to hearing	90	57	63	85
-	Civil Fixture - from application to fix date to hearing	180	114	145	179
-	Civil Running List - from setting down to hearing	90	61	59	55
-	Appeals from Magistrates' Courts - from lodging of Notice of Appeal to hearing	90	91	90	95

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

District Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE DISTRICT COURT

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2007	2008	2009	2007	2008	2009
-	Criminal Jurisdiction
	Criminal Cases	1 240	1 250	1 449	1 152	1 063	1 305
-	Civil Jurisdiction
	Civil	5 764	6 022	5 515	3 709	3 867	4 468
	Tax Claim	9 773	9 153	7 603	8 944	8 485	6 590
	Distress for Rent	5 392	5 540	6 320	5 388	5 497	6 322
	Employee's Compensation	1 534	1 570	1 523	1 769	1 075	1 159
	Other civil cases ⁺	6 357	6 242	6 368	3 801	3 515	3 970
	Sub-total	28 820	28 527	27 329	23 611	22 439	22 509
-	Divorce Jurisdiction
	Cases	15 846	15 703	16 374	16 692	15 534	14 629
	Miscellaneous Proceedings	221	215	262	227	191	217
	Joint Applications	1 957	2 327	2 889	1 711	2 237	2 373
	Adoption Applications	107	119	91	91	101	98
	Sub-total	18 131	18 364	19 616	18 721⁽¹⁾	18 063⁽¹⁾	17 317⁽¹⁾
	Total (Civil)	46 951	46 891	46 945	42 332	40 502	39 826
	Total	48 191	48 141	48 394	43 484	41 565	41 131

-	Master Chambers
	Interlocutory hearings^**	10 596	10 029	10 905	10 323	10 016	10 572
-	Taxation bills
	Divorce	4 264	3 287	2 880	3 851	2 903	2 544
	Others	725	854	764	623	466	685
	Sub-total	4 989	4 141	3 644	4 474⁽²⁾	3 369⁽²⁾	3 229⁽²⁾
	Total	15 585	14 170	14 549	14 797	13 385	13 801

*	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	2007	2008	2009
Criminal cases - from first appearance of defendants in District Court to hearing		100	98	111	116
Civil cases - from date of listing to hearing		120	58	85	104
Dissolution of marriage - from setting down to hearing
-	Special procedure cases	35	33	31	32
-	Defended cases (one day hearing)	110	119	143	118

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Magistrates' Courts

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

		Caseload			Disposal *
		2007	2008	2009	2007	2008	2009
-	Charge Cases	45 149	45 087	42 367	45 305	44 710	42 488
-	Hawker Cases	11 065	11 719	12 537	11 069	11 687	12 539
-	Departmental & Private Summonses	158 009	183 282	183 928	156 588	173 307	186 377
-	Driving-Offence Points Summonses	4 460	5 094	4 893	4 379	4 582	5 851
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Traffic)	1 103	1 202	1 033	1 134	1 143	1 154
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Public Cleanliness Offences)	426	458	578	455	419	624
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Smoking Offences)^@	-	-	7	-	-	1
-	Miscellaneous Proceedings	13 531	12 881	12 657	13 736	13 025	13 594
-	Departmental Notice	1 766	1 368	761	1 767	1 482	776
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Traffic)	75 915	73 119	64 959	82 101	75 579	66 955
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Public Cleanliness Offences)	2 790	3 232	3 606	2 840	3 176	3 567
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Smoking Offences)^@	-	-	113	-	-	47
	Total	314 214	337 442	327 439	319 374	329 110	333 973

*	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
^@	New case types pursuant to the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance, Cap. 600 come into effect on 1.9.2009

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

		Waiting Times (days)
		Target	2007	2008	2009
Summonses - from plea to date of trial		50	95	78	63
Charge Cases - from plea to date of trial
-	Cases involving defendants in custody	30-45	47	41	43
-	Cases involving defendants on bail	45-60	64	56	55

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Lands Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2007	2008	2009	2007	2008	2009
-	Appeals	265	240	274	381	248	63
-	Compensation cases	17	34	17	27	22	27
-	Building management cases	494	329	394	346	389	459
-	Tenancy cases	4 333	4 611	4 347	3 386	3 682	3 497
-	Lands compulsory sale applications	14	10	8	11	52	9
-	Miscellaneous proceedings applications	5	4	6	2	3	6
	Total	5 128	5 228	5 046	4 153	4 396	4 061

*	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	2007	2008	2009
From setting down of a case to hearing
-	Appeals	100	83	44	47
-	Compensation cases	100	141	96	64
-	Building management cases	100	54	40	33
-	Tenancy cases	60	41	27	23

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Labour Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2007	2008	2009	2007	2008	2009
-	Cases	6 160	7 199	7 758	6 066	4 867	5 859
-	Reviews	126	113	107	137	108	112
-	Restore claims	109	97	115	119	101	109
-	Set-aside awards	141	128	144	130	138	135
	Total	6 536	7 537	8 124	6 452	5 214	6 215

*	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	2007	2008	2009
-	From appointment to filing of a case	30	10	17	28
-	From filing of a case to first hearing	30	25	24	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*
		2007	2008	2009	2007	2008	2009
-	Claims	68 797	59 246	59 797	69 770	55 495	54 816
-	Reviews	320	238	272	251	216	259
	Total	69 117	59 484	60 069	70 021	55 711	55 075

*	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	2007	2008	2009
-	From filing of a case to first hearing	60	42	40	40

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Obscene Articles Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2007	2008	2009	2007	2008	2009
-	Articles for determination	69 055	43 533	12 746	69 596	42 404	13 894
-	Articles for classification	1 157	931	761	1 159	933	762
-	Articles for review	9	2	0	0	2	0
-	Articles for reconsideration	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	70 221	44 466	13 507	70 755	43 339	14 656

*	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	2007	2008	2009
-	From referral by a magistrate to commencement of determination of the subject matter of a court case	21	17	18	18
-	From receipt of application to classification	5	2	2	2
-	From receipt of application to review	35	26	19	-^#
-	From receipt of application to reconsideration	35	- *	- *	- *


	^#		As there is no application for review filed, the waiting time is inapplicable
	*		As there is no application for reconsideration filed, 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*
		2007	2008	2009	2007	2008	2009
-	Death inquests with jury	152	137	159	155	135	167
-	Death inquests without jury	23	14	23	30	10	26
	Total	175	151	182	185	145	193

*	Case disposal refers to death inquests concluded

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE CORONER'S COURT

		Waiting Times (days)
		Target	2007	2008	2009
-	From date of listing to hearing	42	36	40	37

Membership List of
the Steering Committee on Civil Justice Reform

-	Chairman	The Hon Mr Justice Geoffrey MA Chief Judge of the High Court
-	Members	The Hon Mr Justice K H WOO, GBS, V-P Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Michael J HARTMANN, JA Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
		The Hon Madam Justice Carlye CHU Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Aarif T BARMA Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Anselmo F T REYES Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		Ms AU YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny Registrar, High Court
		His Honour Judge Patrick LI Chief District Judge (up to 9.12.2009)
		His Honour Judge S T POON Acting Chief District Judge (w.e.f. 10.12.2009)
		His Honour Judge David LOK District Judge
		His Honour Judge S T POON District Judge (up to 9.12.2009)
		His Honour Judge Justin KO District Judge
		Mr LUNG Kim-wan Deputy Registrars, High Court
-	Secretary	Ms Clara TANG Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)

Membership List of
the Monitoring Committee on Civil Justice Reform

-	Chairman	The Hon Mr Justice Geoffrey MA Chief Judge of the High Court
-	Members	The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Anselmo F T REYES Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		Ms AU YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny Registrar, High Court
		His Honour Judge Patrick LI Chief District Judge (up to 9.12.2009)
		His Honour Judge S T POON Acting Chief District Judge (w.e.f. 10.12.2009)
		His Honour Judge H C AU District Judge (up to 20.10.2009)
		His Honour Judge S T POON District Judge (from 21.10.2009 to 9.12.2009)
		Mr S T POON Temporary Registrar, District Court (up to 20.10.2009)
		Mr Reuden LAI Temporary Registrar, District Court (w.e.f. 21.10.2009)
		Mr Wesley WONG Department of Justice
		Mr Thomas KWONG Legal Aid Department
		Mr Joseph FOK, SC Hong Kong Bar Association
		Mr LAI Ting-hong Law Society of Hong Kong
		Mr CHAN Bing-woon, SBS, JP Hong Kong Mediation Council
		Miss Emma LAU Judiciary Administrator
-	Secretary	Ms Clara TANG Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)

Membership List of the Working Party on Mediation

-	Chairman	The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
-	Members	The Hon Madam Justice Susan KWAN, JA Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Anselmo F T REYES Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice John L 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 Court Users' Committees

Civil Court Users' Committee

-	Chairman	The Hon Mr Justice K H WOO, GBS, V-P Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
-	Members	The Hon Madam Justice Maria C YUEN, JA Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
		The Hon Madam Justice Carlye CHU Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		Ms AU YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny Registrar, High Court
		His Honour Judge Patrick LI Chief District Judge (up to 9.12.2009)
		His Honour Judge S T POON Acting Chief District Judge (w.e.f. 10.12.2009)
		Mr Joseph FOK, SC Hong Kong Bar Association
		Mr LAI Ting-hong The Law Society of Hong Kong
		Mr Bernard HUI
		Ms Cathy WONG Department of Justice
		Mr Thomas KWONG Legal Aid Department
		Ms Polly YIP Official Receiver's Office
-	In Attendance	Mr NG Sek-hon Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
		Ms Frieda LEUNG Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)1
-	Secretary	Ms Betty CHAN Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)

Criminal Court Users' Committee

-	Chairman	The Hon Mr Justice K K PANG Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
-	Members	The Hon Mr Justice Louis TONG Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Michael V LUNN Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		Ms AU YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny Registrar, High Court
		His Honour Judge Patrick LI Chief District Judge (up to 9.12.2009)
		His Honour Judge S T POON Acting Chief District Judge (w.e.f. 10.12.2009)
		Mr TONG Man Chief Magistrate
		Mr WONG Man-kit, SC Hong Kong Bar Association
		Mr Stephen HUNG The Law Society of Hong Kong
		Mr Daniel LAI, BBS, JP
		Mr Kevin ZERVOS, SC Department of Justice
		Mr Thomas KWONG Legal Aid Department
		Ms Grace WONG The Duty Lawyer Service
-	Co-opted Member	Ms Rebecca LI Independent Commission Against Corruption
		Mr NG Kam-wing Hong Kong Police Force (up to 11.1.2009)
		Mr CHENG Se-lim Hong Kong Police Force (w.e.f. 12.1.2009)
-	In Attendance	Mr NG Sek-hon Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
		Ms Frieda LEUNG Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)1
-	Secretary	Ms Betty CHAN Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)

Family Court Users' Committee

-	Chairman	Her Honour Judge Bebe CHU Principal Family Court Judge
-	Members	His Honour Judge Bruno CHAN Family Court Judge
		Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY Family Court Judge
		His Honour Judge C K CHAN Family Court Judge (w.e.f. 1.12.2009)
		His Honour Judge Patrick LI Chief District Judge (up to 9.12.2009)
		His Honour Judge S T POON Acting Chief District Judge (w.e.f. 10.12.2009)
		Ms Jacqueline LEONG, SC
		Ms Corinne REMEDIOS
		Ms KONG Yuen-Hoong
		Mr Dennis HO
		Mr Robin EGERTON
		Mrs Christina HADIWIBAWA Legal Aid Department
		Mrs Anna MAK Social Welfare Department
-	In Attendance	Mr NG Sek-hon Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
		Mr Kenneth LIU Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court)
-	Secretary	Ms Betty CHAN Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)

Membership List of the Judicial Studies Board

-	Chairman	The Hon Mr Justice K H WOO, GBS, V-P Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
-	Members	The Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK, V-P Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Azizul R SUFFIAD Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Louis TONG Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mrs Justice Judianna W L BARNES Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Alan R WRIGHT Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		Miss Emma LAU Judiciary Administrator
		Ms AU YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny Registrar, High Court
		His Honour Judge Patrick LI Chief District Judge (up to 9.12.2009)
		His Honour Judge S T POON Acting Chief District Judge (w.e.f. 10.12.2009)
		Mr TONG Man Chief Magistrate
		Mr Gavin SHIU Department of Justice
		Ms Audrey CAMPBELL-MOFFAT 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 (up to 20.7.2009)
		Professor Anton COORAY City University of Hong Kong (w.e.f 21.7.2009)
		Professor Stephen HALL The Chinese University of Hong Kong
-	Secretary	Ms Charling LI Chief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers)

Judiciary Administration

Miss Emma LAU , Judiciary Administrator

Operations Division

Mr NG Sek-hon, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)

(a)	Information Systems Strategy Study Support Team [established on 2.11.2009]	Ms Catherine LEE	Acting Chief Systems Manager (Information Systems Strategy Study) [w.e.f. 2.11.2009]⁽¹⁾
(b)	Operations Division	Ms Betty CHAN	Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)
(c)	Judicial Support's Office [up to 1.11.2009]	Ms Frieda LEUNG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Judicial Support)1 [up to 1.11.2009]
		Mr Roger LAW	Chief Judiciary Executive (Judicial Support)2 / Clerk of Court [up to 1.11.2009]
	Support to Judges Section [w.e.f. 2.11.2009]	Ms Frieda LEUNG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)1 [w.e.f. 2.11.2009]
		Mr Roger LAW	Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2 [w.e.f. 2.11.2009]
(d)	Clerk of Court's Office	Mr Roger LAW	Clerk of Court [up to 1.11.2009]
		Mrs Pamela PANG	Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court) [w.e.f. 2.11.2009]
(e)	Court of Final Appeal Registry	Mr Joe CHENG	Senior Judicial Clerk I (Court of Final Appeal) [up to 2.8.2009]
		Mr Jackson CHAN	Acting Senior Judicial Clerk I (Court of Final Appeal) [w.e.f. 3.8.2009]
(f)	High Court Registry	Ms Judy FUNG	Chief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry)
(g)	District Court	Mr K H CHENG	Chief Judicial Clerk (Registry, District Court)
		Mrs Flora CHUNG	Chief Judicial Clerk (Courts, District Court)
(h)	Family Court Registry	Mr Kenneth LIU	Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court)
(i)	Lands Tribunal Registry	Ms Evelyn CHEUNG	Chief Judicial Clerk (Lands Tribunal)
(j)	Magistrates' Courts General Office	Mr James WONG	Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies)
(k)	Probate Registry	Mr H F HUI	Chief Probate Officer
(l)	Labour Tribunal Registry	Mr W M WONG	Acting Registrar (Labour Tribunal)
(m)	Small Claims Tribunal Registry	Mr Calvin YAU	Senior Judiciary Clerk I (Small Claims Tribunal) [up to 21.6.2009]
		Mr M K LAM	Acting Chief Judicial Clerk ( Small Claims Tribunal ) [w.e.f. 15.7.2009]⁽²⁾
(n)	Court Language Section	Ms Celina WONG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)
		Ms Yvonne CHAU	Chief Court Interpreter
(o)	Court Orders Section [up to 1.11.2009]	Mr Sunny KWAN	Chief Bailiff (Administration and Admiralty)
		Mr T M CHOI	Chief Bailiff (Operations)
	Bailiff Section [w.e.f. 2.11.2009]	Mr Sunny KWAN	Chief Bailiff (Administration and Admiralty)
		Mr T M CHOI	Chief Bailiff (Operations)
(p)	Mediation Coordinator's Office	Ms April LAM	Mediation Coordinator [up to 31.8.2009]
		Ms April LAM	Senior Mediation Affairs Officer [from 1.9.2009 to 1.10.2009]
(q)	Mediation Information Office [w.e.f. 4.1.2010]	Ms April LAM	Senior Mediation Affairs Officer [w.e.f. 2.10.2009]
(r)	Family Mediation Coordinator's Office [w.e.f. 1.9.2009]	Mrs P F MAK	Mediation Coordinator (Family) [w.e.f. 1.9.2009]
(s)	Building Management Mediation Coordinator's Office	Ms S F CHAN	Mediation Coordinator (Building Management)
(t)	West Kowloon Law Courts Building : Operational Issues [established on 18.6.2009]	Ms Peggy CHAN	Senior Judiciary Executive (West Kowloon Law Courts Building) [w.e.f. 1.6.2009]
(u)	Information Systems Strategy Study Support Team [established on 2.11.2009]	Ms Gloria POON	Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Systems Strategy Study) [w.e.f. 2.11.2009]


Note 1 :	Ms Catherine LEE was acting as Chief Systems Manager (Special Duties) during the period 31.8.2009 to 1.11.2009.
Note 2 :	The post of Senior Judicial Clerk I (Small Claims Tribunal) was upgraded to Chief Judicial Clerk (Small Claims Tribunal) w.e.f. 15.7.2009.

Development Division

Ms Annie TANG, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)

(a)	Development Office	Ms Clara TANG	Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)
(b)	Press & Public Relations Office	Ms Lina TING	Principal Information Officer [up to 8.2.2009]
		Mrs Angela WONG	Principal Information Officer [w.e.f. 9.2.2009]

Quality Division

Ms Dora FU, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Operations) [up to 24.5.2009]
Mr Stanley TO, Acting Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality) [w.e.f. 25.5.2009]

(a)	Complaints Office	Ms Joanna CHUNG	Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Complaints)
(b)	Court Reporters Office	Ms Maggie CHENG	Senior Court Reporter (Development)
(c)	Information Technology Management Section	Mr Patrick CHAN	Chief Judiciary Executive (Information Technology)
(d)	Legal Reference and Library Section	Ms Miranda FUNG	Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Legal Reference and Library)
(e)	Management Information Section	Ms Peggy CHAN	Senior Judiciary Executive (Management Information) [up to 31.5.2009]
		Ms Memory WONG	Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Management Information) [w.e.f. 1.6.2009]
(f)	Management Review Section	Ms Cora CHENG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Management Review)

Corporate Services Division

Mrs Angela LO, Acting Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Corporate Services)

(a)	Accommodation Section	Mrs Lowell CHO	Chief Judiciary Executive (Accommodation)
(b)	Finance Section	Ms Melody WONG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Finance)
(c)	Judges and Judicial Officers Section	Ms Charling LI	Chief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers)
(d)	Support Staff Section	Ms Estella FUNG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Staff)
(e)	West Kowloon Law Courts Building Integrated Team [established on 18.6.2009]	Mr Sonny CHING	Senior Architect [w.e.f. 3.8.2009]

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

Date	Activity
22.10.2008 - 20.3.2009	Civil Justice Reform Training Small-class Sessions for all Judges and Judicial Officers, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
9.1.2009	* Hong Kong Guardianship Conference, organised by the Guardianship Board
9.1.2009	* Seminar entitled "Whistleblowing as Legal Duty and Right", organised by the University of Hong Kong
9.1.2009	* Talk entitled "Freedom of Speech and its Limits", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
13.1.2009	* Lecture entitled "The Inevitable Globalization of Constitutional Law", organised by the University of Hong Kong
13.1.2009	* Seminar entitled "Leadership by Constitutional Courts", organised by the University of Hong Kong
15.1.2009	* Seminar entitled "Apprehended Bias and the Reasonable Observer - How Do Courts Decide Claims of Bias?", organised by the University of Hong Kong
22.1.2009	* Seminar entitled "US-China Relations and the Obama Administration: Implications for Human Rights", organised by the University of Hong Kong
10.2.2009	* Seminar entitled "Role of Lawyers in Defending the Law", organised by the City University of Hong Kong
16.2.2009	* Seminar entitled "Send Lawyers, Guns and Money: the Perils of Remaking Other Peoples' Legal System", organised by the University of Hong Kong
23.2.2009	Lunch-time Talk entitled "The Firm Habits of Highly Effective Judges" by the Hon Mr Justice Henry Denis Litton, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
27.2.2009	* Seminar entitled "Poverty and Rights", organised by the University of Hong Kong
9.3.2009	* Talk entitled "Judicial Review of Warrants and Criminal Investigations", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
12.3.2009	* Seminar entitled "Human Rights in China after the Olympics", organised by the University of Hong Kong
12.3.2009	* Seminar entitled "Competition and Government: How Much Regulation?", organised by the University of Hong Kong
13.3.2009	* Seminar entitled "Why Bills of Rights are Dangerous", organised by the University of Hong Kong
17.3.2009	* Talk entitled "Regulatory Changes being introduced in the UK and their impact upon the legal profession and the Bar", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
17.3.2009	* China's 30-Year-Legal Reform Lecture Series, Lecture entitled "Disregard the Five Principles: 60 years' basic experience regarding Chinese Jurisprudence", organised by the University of Hong Kong
18.3.2009	* Talk entitled "The UN Human Rights Council Hearing on Hong Kong's Human Rights Situations: The Geneva Experience", organised by the University of Hong Kong
20-21 & 23-25.3.2009	* Mediator Skills Accreditation Course, organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
23.3.2009	* Seminar entitled "State-Church Relationships in Reform China: A Retrospect after 30 Years", organised by the University of Hong Kong
24.3.2009	* Seminar entitled "The Responsibility to Protect: Preventing Gross Violations of Human Rights", organised by the University of Hong Kong
25.3.2009	Talk on "Gross Sum Assessments", organised by the Judicial Studies Board
28.3.2009	A Computer Training Course for District Judges and Magistrates, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
28.3.2009	* Conference entitled "Implementation of the Right to Vote and be Elected - the Theory and the Practice", organised by the University of Hong Kong
29.3.2009	* Seminar entitled "Lawyers and Judicial Reform: Cross-Straits Experiences", organised by the University of Hong Kong
1.4.2009	* Lecture entitled "Accountability and Responsibility - Reinforcing the Criminal Law", organised by the Independent Commission Against Corruption
3.4.2009	* Seminar entitled "Ten Years of Constitutional Rights in the Court of Final Appeal", organised by the University of Hong Kong
6.4.2009	* Seminar entitled "Tyrannicide Brief: The Human Rights Story", organised by the University of Hong Kong
6 - 9.4.2009	* 16th Commonwealth Law Conference, jointly organised by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong
8.4.2009	* Seminar entitled "Privacy: The Changing Landscape", organised by the University of Hong Kong
16.4.2009	* Lecture entitled "Doctrine and Fairness in the Law of Contract", organised by the University of Hong Kong
20.4.2009	* Seminar entitled "Employment Law and the Global Financial Crisis - Public and Private Sector Employment Law Issues in Hong Kong, China, Australia and Japan", organised by the University of Hong Kong
22.4.2009	* Lecture entitled "Competition Law Enforcement in Hong Kong: Telecommunications (Competition Provisions) Appeal Board", organised by the University of Hong Kong
24.4.2009	* Seminar entitled "The Challenges of Modern Policing", organised by the University of Hong Kong
25.4.2009	Magistrates' Conference, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
4.5.2009	* Seminar entitled "The U.S. Economic Crisis: Causes, Myths and Solutions", organised by the University of Hong Kong
7.5.2009	* Talk entitled "Mind Your Language", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
8.5.2009	* China's 30-Year-Legal Reform Lecture Series, Lecture entitled "Charter 08 and China's Political and Legal Reform", organised by the University of Hong Kong
9.5.2009	Visit to the Police College of the Hong Kong Police Force, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
14.5.2009	* China's 30-Year-Legal Reform Lecture Series, Lecture entitled "Taking a look at Labour Law Legislation in China through the May 1st Labour Day Procession in Hong Kong", organised by the University of Hong Kong
14.5.2009	* Lecture entitled "Labour and Management playing a game of chess- striking a balance of interest - the PRC Labour Law and the elucidation of its provisions", jointly organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Hong Kong Acadcmy of Law
15-17.5.2009	A Conference on "Corporate Crime and the Credit Crunch", jointly organized by MacGuill & Co., Perren Buildings and MHA Consulting (held in Dublin, Ireland)
20.5.2009	* Lecture entitled "Implementing the Companies Act 2006 in the UK", organised by the University of Hong Kong
20.5.2009	* Seminar entitled "Public Opinion and the Court", organised by the University of Hong Kong
21.5.2009	* China's 30-Year-Legal Reform Lecture Series, Lecture entitled "Chinese Cultural Tradition and Its Contemporary Rule of Law Features", organised by the University of Hong Kong
22.5.2009	* Lecture entitled "The Politics of Judicial Review", organised by the University of Hong Kong
30.5.2009	District Court Sentencing Conference, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
3.6.2009	* Seminar entitled "Korean Judiciary - Role and Challenges in Democratization and Rule of Law", organised by the University of Hong Kong
4.6.2009	* China's 30-Year-Legal Reform Lecture Series, Lecture entitled "Legal Institutions and The Future of China", organised by the University of Hong Kong
10.6.2009	* China's 30-Year-Legal Reform Lecture Series, Lecture entitled "Movie Justice: The Legal System in Pre-1949 Chinese Movies", organised by the University of Hong Kong
11.6 – 13.8.2009	Refresher Putonghua Course, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
11.6.2009	* Seminar entitled "Constitutional Rights in Two Worlds: South Africa and the United States", organised by the University of Hong Kong
12.6.2009	* China's 30-Year-Legal Reform Lecture Series, Lecture entitled "Property Rights: Law and Development in China", organised by the University of Hong Kong
12.6.2009	* China's 30-Year-Legal Reform Lecture Series, Lecture entitled "The 'Other' China Trade Deficit: Export Safety and Legal and Other Responses", organised by the University of Hong Kong
16.6.2009	* 3rd Regional Arbitral Institutes Forum Conference, organised by Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators
16.6.2009	* Lecture entitled "Reinsurance", organised by the University of Hong Kong
17.6.2009	* Lecture entitled "Peer Mediation Programme in Hong Kong Schools", organised by the University of Hong Kong
20-24.6.2009	Eighth Multinational Judicial Colloquium on Insolvency and INSOL 2009 Quadrennial Congress, co-organised by the INSOL International, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and the World Bank (held in Vancouver, Canada)
22.6.2009	* Talk entitled "The Price of Public Action: Constitutional Doctrine & Judicial Manipulation of Legislative Enactment Costs", organised by the University of Hong Kong
26.6.2009	* Lecture entitled "Humonetarianism: The New Correctional Discourse of Scarcity", organised by the University of Hong Kong
9.7.2009	* Lecture entitled "Representation Without Institutions? : The Puzzle of GMO Governance in China (and Hong Kong)", organised by the University of Hong Kong
17-18 & 20-22.7. 2009	Mediator Skills Accreditation Course, organised by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution
23.7.2009	* CEDR Exchange Evening Event "Mediator Speed 'Dating' - meeting, mingling, informing", jointly organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association and CEDR
24-25 & 27-29.7.2009	* Mediator Skills Accreditation Course, organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
23-26.8.2009	5th World Congress on Family Law and Childrens' Rights, organized by International Conference Services Ltd. (held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)
3.9.2009	* Talk entitled "Reverse Engineering Back Up the Litigation Highway", organised by the University of Hong Kong
3.9.2009	* Lecture entitled "The Evolution of Property Rights", organised by the University of Hong Kong
4-5.9.2009	* Conference entitled "IP & IT: Theory and Practice", organised by the University of Hong Kong
9.9.2009	* Lecture entitled "Oxford Jurisprudence", organised by the University of Hong Kong
11.9.2009	* Lecture entitled "Terra Incognita: Vertical and Conglomerate Merger and Interlocking Directorate Law Enforcement in the United States", organised by the University of Hong Kong
21.9.2009	* Lecture entitled "Ombudsman for Children in Norway - Potential for Hong Kong", organised by the University of Hong Kong
22.9.2009	* Lecture entitled "Hybrid Texts and Uniform Law", organised by the University of Hong Kong
23.9.2009	* Talk entitled "The Emerging Gay Rights Activism in Mainland China", organised by the University of Hong Kong
24-25.9.2009	* Conference entitled "Children's Issues Forum: The Resolution of Disputes Relating to Children in Hong Kong", organised by the University of Hong Kong
26.9.2009	Visit to the Hong Kong Christian Service Jockey Club Lodge of Rising Sun, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
10.10.2009	* Conference entitled "Hong Kong Political Reform Series: Breaking the Deadlock", organised by the University of Hong Kong
13.10.2009	* Law Lectures for Practitioners 2009, organised by the University of Hong Kong
15.10.2009	* Seminar on "The Constitutional Authority of the Legislative Council: The LegCo Powers Case", organised by the University of Hong Kong
19.10.2009	* Lecture on "Reciprocity and Enforceability" under the main theme of "Reciprocity in Contract", organised by the University of Hong Kong
21.10.2009	* Lecture on "A Bird in the Hand" under the main theme of "Reciprocity in Contract", organised by the University of Hong Kong
22.10.2009	* Informal seminar on "The Doctrine of Undue Influence: Legal Transplants and Cross-Cultural Applications", organised by the University of Hong Kong
27.10.2009	* Lecture entitled "Intellectual Property Rights: Too Important to Leave to the Lawyers?", organised by the University of Hong Kong
27.10.2009	* Seminar on "Financial Crisis & German Criminal Law", organised by the University of Hong Kong
28-29.10.2009	* International Conference on Exclusions from Constitutional Law, organised by the City University of Hong Kong
30-31.10 & 2-4.11.2009	* Mediator Skills Accreditation Course, organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
3.11.2009	* Seminar on "After Kyoto: International Welfarism and the Impossibility of Global Carbon Trading", organised by the University of Hong Kong
3.11.2009	* Lecture on "Literature as Law's Other", organised by the University of Hong Kong
5.11.2009	* Seminar on "Better Than Fuller: A Two Interest Model of Remedies for Breach of Contract", organised by the University of Hong Kong
6-7 & 9-11.11.2009	* Mediator Skills Accreditation Course, organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
7.11.2009	Visit to the Correctional Services Department - Lai King Correctional Institution and Lai Chi Rehabilitation Centre, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
10.11.2009	* Lecture on "How International Law Regulates the Global Market for Talent", organised by the University of Hong Kong
11.11.2009	* Seminar on "International Law and Domestic Political Coalitions: The Causes of Compliance With International Law", organised by the University of Hong Kong
16.11.2009	* Symposium on the Review of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, organised by the University of Hong Kong
16.11.2009	* Common Law Lecture on "Loss of a Chance and a Chance of Loss", organised by the University of Hong Kong
24.11.2009	Talk on "The first nine years of the UK Human Rights Act" by the Rt Hon the Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
26.11.2009	Lunch-time Talk on "The Firm Habits of Highly Effective Judges - Put First Things First" by Hon Mr Justice Henry Denis Litton, Non-permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
28.11.2009	* Conference on "Inclusion in Education: The Implementation of Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities", organised by the University of Hong Kong
30.11.2009	Briefing on Practice Direction 31 and the Roles of the Mediation Information office, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
7.12.2009	* Seminar on The Common Law Concept of "Charity", organised by the University of Hong Kong
8.12.2009	* Seminar on "Regulating the Credit Rating Agencies: Governing the Financial Oracle", organised by the University of Hong Kong
9.12.2009	* Seminar on "Control, Conflict, and Corporate Rescue", organised by the University of Hong Kong

* Organised by Local Outside Organisations

Number of Visits and Visitors to the Judiciary in 2008 and 2009

	2008	2009
Local
No. of visits	196	214
No. of visitors	6 134	6 633
The Mainland of China
No. of visits	38	40
No. of visitors	827	1 004
Overseas
No. of visits	19	33
No. of visitors	202	433
Total
No. of visits	253	287
No. of visitors	7 163	8 070

	Number of Visitors
Category of Visitors	2008	2009
Judges and legal profession	484	581
Government officials	394	446
Students and others	6 285	7 043
Total	7 163	8 070

Expenditure and Revenue of the Judiciary for 2008-2009

Recurrent Expenditure

		2008-2009 ($' 000)
-	Personal Emoluments	730,373
-	Departmental Expenses	207,747
-	Other Charges	5,743
	Total	943,863

Revenue*

		2008-2009 ($' 000)
-	Fees & Charges	177,524
-	Fines	215,667
-	Forfeitures & Others	75,624
	Total	468,815

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

Number of Complaints Against Judges and Judicial Officers

	Nature of Complaints	2009
(1)	Complaints against judges' decisions	88
(2)	Complaints against judges' conduct	30
(3)	Complaints against both the judicial decisions and the judge's conduct	44
	Total	162

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 2009 is 528,446.

Number of Complaints Against the Judiciary Administration

	Nature of Complaints	2009*
-	Complaints about procedures	23
-	Complaints about facilities	22
-	Complaints about the judicial support services	49
-	Complaints against staff of the Judiciary Administration	97
	Total	191

*	Oral complaints included