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 2008.

2. The reform of our civil justice system reached a milestone in 2008 with the enactment of the Civil Justice (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2008 and the completion of the legislative exercise to amend seven sets of subsidiary legislation. With the legislative framework in place, we have conducted training for our Judges and support staff. The Steering Committee on Civil Justice Reform has also issued a total of 24 draft Practice Directions for two rounds of consultation with the legal profession and other relevant parties before the end of 2008. The firm target is to implement the Reform on 2 April 2009.

3. The pilot scheme on mediation for building management cases in the Lands Tribunal was implemented starting January 2008. The operation of the scheme is monitored by the Working Party on Mediation. The pilot scheme is extended until 30 June 2009 and its operation will be evaluated.

4. As part of civil justice reform, the Steering Committee on Civil Justice Reform has issued a new draft Practice Direction on Mediation for consultation with the legal profession and concerned parties. Its aim is to assist the court to discharge its duty to facilitate the settlement of disputes by encouraging and facilitating the parties to use mediation.

5. The Labour Tribunal commenced operation in its new premises in the South Kowloon Law Courts Building in January 2008. This newly refurbished building provides much improved accommodation for the Presiding Officers, support staff and court users and has contributed to the smooth operation of the Tribunal.

6. In November 2008, the Hong Kong Post launched a set of four stamps on the theme of the Judiciary. One of them features our Judges from the various levels of court in court dress, and the other three feature familiar symbols of the Judiciary, namely the Court of Final Appeal, the Statute of Justice and the Chief Justice’s Mace. These stamps are shown throughout this Report.

7. The Judiciary Administration continues to strive to provide quality support services for the administration of justice. The Registry of the Small Claims Tribunal and the General Offices of seven Magistrates’ Courts obtained the ISO 9001:2000 re-certification for their Registry and Court Support Services in February 2008. The Registries of the Lands Tribunal and the Bailiff Office also achieved good results in the 2008 surveillance audits for ISO certification.

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