Judiciary of Hong Kong
Under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, it exercises the judicial power of the Region and is independent of the executive and legislative branches of the Government.
The courts in Hong Kong hear and adjudicate all prosecutions and civil disputes, including all public and private law matters.
It is fundamental to the Hong Kong legal system that members of the judiciary are independent of the executive and legislative branches.
A bilingual court system in which Chinese, English or both can be used was put in place, in accordance with the requirement of the Basic Law.
[1] It was established on 1 July 1997 upon the commencement of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance to safeguard the rule of law after 30 June 1997.
It also exercises jurisdiction in admiralty, bankruptcy, company winding-up, family, adoption, probate and mental health matters.
The most serious criminal offences, such as murder, manslaughter, rape, armed robbery, complex commercial frauds and drug offences involving large quantities, are tried by a judge of the Court of First Instance, sitting with a jury consisting of seven or, when a judge so orders, nine.
In its criminal jurisdiction, the court may try the more serious cases, with the main exceptions of murder, manslaughter and rape.
The Chief Magistrate, whose chamber is at the Kowloon City Law Courts Building, oversees the work of all magistracies.
The magistrate explains the alleged offence to the child or young person in simple language and provides assistance to the defendant in the conduct of the case.
Press coverage of the proceedings in juvenile court is restricted, preventing disclosure of the identity of the defendant.
Except when death occurs while the individual is in custody, or the Secretary for Justice directs, the Coroner decides whether or not to hold an inquest with or without a jury.
Starting from 9 July 2004, the Tribunal also has power to adjudicate claims for possession of premises, the tenancies or sub-tenancies of which have expired by effluxion of time even when they are outside the said Ordinance.
The Tribunal also has unlimited jurisdiction to determine the amount of compensation payable by the Government to a person whose land has been compulsorily resumed or has suffered a reduction in value because of public developments.
116); (ii) determinations by the Director of Lands under the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance (Cap.
The Labour Tribunal was set up in 1973 to provide a quick, inexpensive and informal procedure for adjudicating disputes between employees and employers.
The tribunal is located at the South Kowloon Law Courts Building in Gascoigne Road.
No statistics are provided by the Judiciary on actual waiting times from filing of a claim to first day of trial or ultimate resolution.
The MMT has jurisdiction to hear and determine any question or issue arising out of or in connection with the proceedings instituted under the SFO.
Any party aggrieved by the decision of an Adjudicator may appeal on a point of law to the Court of First Instance.
The Small Claims Tribunal is situated at West Kowloon Law Courts Building.
Firstly, it is responsible for the classification of articles submitted by any public officer, author, printer, manufacturer, publisher, distributor, copyright owner etc.
Secondly, the tribunal has exclusive jurisdiction to determine the question of obscenity or indecency when this issue arises in any civil or criminal proceedings in any court.
In Hong Kong, cases related to national security are adjudicated before specifically designated judges.
Hong Kong judges wear British-style outfits, including wigs made of horsehair, with white gloves, girdles and scarlet-coloured robes added for official ceremonies.
