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Court Services & Facilities > Typhoon and Rainstorm Warning Arrangements

Typhoon and Rainstorm Warning Arrangements

Important Notice

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

When Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above, an “Extreme Condition” announcement or a black rainstorm warning signal is issued or cancelled, any public announcement by the Judiciary on the arrangements for courts and offices will be issued via the Government’s Information Services Department and are available on the Government's Press Releases webpage for public access.

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

While court users may use the integrated Court Case Management System (iCMS) for those electronic services which have been implemented at individual court registry, any documents filed via the iCMS during the registry's closure period will be deemed to have been received upon its re-opening.

When Pre-No. 8 Special Announcement is issued between 6:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.

In general, when Pre-No. 8 Special Announcement is issued between 6:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., the Courts/Tribunals would have the hearings scheduled in the morning session adjourned until further notice.

When Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above is issued

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

When Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued

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

When Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above, “Extreme Condition” announcement or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is lowered or cancelled

Resumption of Court Proceedings

If the signal is lowered or cancelled at or before 6:00 a.m. on a working day (i.e. Monday to Friday), the Courts/Tribunals will resume hearing at the usual time in the morning.

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

If the signal is lowered or cancelled after 11:00 a.m. on a working day (i.e. Monday to Friday), hearings of the Courts/Tribunals will remain adjourned for the whole day. If you are supposed to attend Court/Tribunal on that day, you are required to attend Court/Tribunal at 9:30 a.m. the next working day.

Re-opening of Court/Tribunal Registries and Offices

If the signal is lowered or cancelled at or before 6:00 a.m. on a working day (i.e. Monday to Friday), all court/tribunal registries and offices will open as usual in the morning.

If the signal is lowered or cancelled after 6 a.m. on a working day (i.e. Monday to Friday), subject to the circumstances prevailing at the time, all court/tribunal registries and offices will generally aim to re-open either at the usual time in the morning or within two hours after the lowering or cancellation. However, all court/tribunal registries and offices will in any event remain closed if the gale or rainstorm warning signal or the “Extreme Condition” announcement is lowered or cancelled two hours or less before their normal closing hour on Monday to Friday.

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

Usual Business Hours of Registries and Offices