Hong Kong Judiciary Annual Report 2010

	This year saw the retirement of Chief Justice Andrew Li, who had been the head of the Judiciary since 1 July 1997. He was the longest serving Chief Justice in Hong Kong's history. It is a great honour for me to serve the community as the second Chief Justice of Hong Kong since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

2. This Report provides an overview of the major events of the Judiciary during 2010. It also provides statistics on caseload and waiting time for various levels of court, and information about the operation of the Judiciary. I would like in particular to draw attention to the following :-

	Civil Justice Reform
	The Civil Justice Reform has been implemented for over a year. The key to success of the Reform lies in a change in culture in the conduct of court proceedings and of dispute resolution both on the part of Judges and the legal profession. The Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee has noted that good progress has been made in achieving this change in culture, but understandably it will take more time for the full impact of the reforms to be realised.

	Mediation
	A new Practice Direction 31 on Mediation was implemented on 1 January 2010 to assist the courts in encouraging litigants to use mediation. To support the implementation of the Practice Direction, a Mediation Information Office was opened in the High Court building to provide assistance to parties in relation to mediation.

	Additional Courtrooms and Associated Facilities in the High Court Building
	To alleviate the problem of shortage of courtrooms in the High Court and to facilitate greater efficiency in the deployment of judicial resources, in July 2010, we commenced construction of three additional courtrooms and associated facilities in the High Court building, including Judges' chambers, consultation rooms and waiting areas. The works are scheduled for completion by the end of 2011.

	Second Judicial Seminar on Commercial Litigation
	Together with the Supreme Court of New South Wales, the Judiciary organised the Second Judicial Seminar on Commercial Litigation in Hong Kong from 12 to 14 January 2010. This Seminar followed the successful launch of the inaugural Seminar in Sydney in 2008. It provided a very useful forum for Judges from different jurisdictions to share their experiences in handling various aspects of commercial litigation. There were delegates from Australia, India, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, People's Republic of China, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong.

	3. We hope that you will find this Report useful and thereby gain a better understanding of the work of the Judiciary.

	Geoffrey Ma Chief Justice

Highlights of Events 2010

January

7	Mr Rui Macieira, Deputy Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Portugal, visited the Judiciary
11	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li declared opening of the 2010 Legal Year
11 - 12	A nine-member delegation of the Social and Legal Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference visited the Judiciary
12	A five-member delegation led by the Rt Hon Chief Justice Tun Dato' Seri Zaki bin Tun Azmi of Malaysia visited the Judiciary
12 - 14	The Judiciary co-organised the Second Judicial Seminar on Commercial Litigation with Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia
15	Mr Goh Joon Seng, Member of the Council of Presidential Advisers and former Supreme Court Judge of Singapore visited the Judiciary
15	Mr Li Kwok-wai was appointed as Magistrate
15	A 20-member delegation of judges and government officials from Thailand visited the Judiciary
25 - 26	A 37-member delegation of judges attending the Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges at the Law School of the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary

February

Mr Joseph Paul Fok, SC and Mr Mohan Tarachand Bharwaney, SC were appointed as Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court

Ms Anthea Pang Po-kam was appointed as District Judge

An eight-member delegation from the High People's Court of Guangdong Province of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary

14 - 19

The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li and the Hon Mr Justice R A V Ribeiro, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the Judicial Colloquium in Queenstown and the first sitting of the Supreme Court of New Zealand in Wellington, New Zealand

March

1	Ms Xin Chunying, Vice Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, visited the Judiciary
16	A 10-member delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
25	Mr Joris Denmick, Secretary General/Deputy Minister, Ministry of Justice, the Netherlands visited the Judiciary

April

9	A five-member delegation from the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress led by Deputy Director of the Civil Law Office Mr Jia Dongming visited the Judiciary
12	Mr Andrew Colin Macrae, SC was appointed as Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court

May

10	A five-member delegation of lawyers from Henan Province of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary

June

2 - 5	The Hon Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong of the Supreme Court of Singapore, visited the Judiciary and gave a talk on "Criminal Justice in Singapore: History, Ideology and the Role of the Judiciary" at the High Court on 3.6.2010
2 - 5	Her Honour Judge Sharon D Melloy, District Judge, attended the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts 47th Annual Conference on Traversing the Trail of Alienation in Denver, Colorado, the United States
10	The Hon Mr Justice Murray Gleeson, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, gave a talk on "Interpreting Legislation: Text, Context and Purpose" at the High Court
14 -15	The Hon Mr Justice Geoffrey Ma, Chief Judge of the High Court, met with Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony and Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe; and visited the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
19	The Hon Mr Justice S K S Bokhary, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the Conference on "Democracy's Illusions: Challenges to the Rule of Law?" at the Inner Temple, London, the United Kingdom
26.6 - 3.7	The Hon Mr Justice Michael J. Hartmann, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court visited the United Kingdom to look at matters relating to family laws and higher rights of audience for solicitors
26.6 - 3.7	Her Honour Judge Bebe Chu, Principal Family Court Judge, attended the Conference on "International Child Abduction, Re-location and Forced Marriage - 3 linked topics and the global perspective" in London, the United Kingdom
28	A 14-member delegation of educators attending the Public Intellectuals Programme of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, the United States, visited the Judiciary

July

16	The Farewell Sitting of Chief Justice Andrew Li was held
22	A 13-member delegation of law students from Shantou University of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
29	A 14-member delegation of educators attending the Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Programme (Chinese History and Cultural Group) of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, the United States, visited the Judiciary

August

31	The Hon Chief Justice Andrew Li served his last day in the Judiciary

September

1	The Hon Mr Justice Geoffrey Ma was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal The Hon Mr Justice Robert Tang, the Hon Mr Justice Frank Stock and the Hon Mr Justice Michael John Hartmann, serving Justices of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, were appointed as Non-Permanent Hong Kong Judges of the Court of Final Appeal
3	Swearing-in Ceremony of the Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma was held
3	An eight-member delegation from four Justice Bureaux of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
3	A five-member delegation from Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Namibia visited the Judiciary
14	A four-member delegation led by the Hon Yatindra Nath Varma, Attorney General of Mauritius, visited the Judiciary
20	A six-member delegation from State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China led by its Deputy Commissioner Mr Gan Shaoning visited the Judiciary
22 - 25	The Hon Mr Justice R A V Ribeiro, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the Yale Global Constitutionalism Seminar at the Yale Law School, the United States
24	The Rt Hon Lord Justice Laws, Lord Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, gave a talk on "The Rule of Law and Compromise – The Rule of Law Unlocked" at the High Court
27	A six-member delegation from the Supreme Court of Mongolia led by its Deputy Chief Justice of Criminal Division Mr Batsaikhan Davaajav visited the Judiciary
28	A 10-member delegation of judges and government officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary

October

4 - 6	His Honour Judge Tony Poon, Acting Chief District Judge, Mr Tong Man, Chief Magistrate and Mr Anthony Kwok, Principal Magistrate, attended the Asia-Pacific Courts Conference in Singapore
18	Mr Eric Holder, Attorney General of the United States visited the Judiciary
25	A 15-member delegation of Vietnam Ministry of Justice visited the Judiciary

November

2	His Excellency Mr Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Higher Deputy to Judiciary Chief as Inspector General, Iran visited the Judiciary
9	Mr Cao Jianming, Chief Procurator of Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
10	A 15-member delegation of government officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
12	A 15-member delegation of the Legal and Judicial Training Centre of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
15	Mr Justice V K Rajah, Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Singapore, visited the Judiciary
23	Mr Su Zelin, Vice-President of Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary

December

6	A five-member delegation of Zambia Law Development Commission visited the Judiciary
14	Mr Zhang Sujun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
14	A six-member delegation of district prosecution offices from Taiwan 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 #
	The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA (w.e.f. 1.9.2010)
-	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 Gerald Paul NAZARETH, GBS
	Mr John Barry MORTIMER, GBS
	The Hon Henry Denis LITTON, GBM
	The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG, SBS (w.e.f. 1.9.2010)
	The Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK (w.e.f. 1.9.2010)
	The Hon Mr Justice Michael J HARTMANN (w.e.f. 1.9.2010)
	The Hon Sir Anthony MASON
	The Rt Hon the Lord HOFFMANN
	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
	Mr Michael McHUGH
	The Rt Hon Sir Thomas Munro GAULT
	Mr Murray GLEESON
	The Rt Hon the Lord WALKER of Gestingthorpe
	The Rt Hon the Lord NEUBERGER of Abbotsbury

#	Retired in 2010

High Court

-	Chief Judge of the High Court
	The Hon Mr Justice Geoffrey MA (up to 31.8.2010)
-	Justices of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
	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
	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
-	Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
	The Hon Mr Justice David YAM
	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 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
	The Hon Mr Justice Peter J LINE
	The Hon Madam Justice Maggie POON
	The Hon Mr Justice Derek PANG
	The Hon Mr Justice Colin R MACKINTOSH
	The Hon Mr Justice H C AU
	The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS
	The Hon Mr Justice Mohan T BHARWANEY (w.e.f. 1.2.2010)
	The Hon Mr Justice Joseph P FOK (w.e.f. 1.2.2010)
	The Hon Mr Justice Andrew C MACRAE (w.e.f. 12.4.2010)
-	Recorders of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
	Mr Benjamin YU, SBS, SC, JP
	Mr FUNG Pak-tung, Patrick, SC
	Mr Andrew Colin MACRAE, SC (up to 11.4.2010)
	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
	Mr WONG Yuk-lun, Horace, SC (w.e.f. 1.1.2010)
	Mr CHOW Ka-ming, Anderson, SC (w.e.f. 1.1.2010)
-	Registrar, High Court
	Ms AU YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny
-	Deputy Registrars, High Court
	Mr HO Chi-yin, Andy
	Mr LUNG Kim-wan

District Court

-	Chief District Judge
	His Honour Judge Patrick LI
-	Principal Family Court Judge
	Her Honour Judge Bebe CHU
-	District Judges
	His Honour Judge Peter K M LONGLEY
	His Honour Judge Brian L de SOUZA
	His Honour Judge Bruno CHAN
	Her Honour Judge H C WONG
	His Honour Judge Stephen CHOW
	His Honour Judge Ian E CARLSON
	Her Honour Judge Esther TOH
	His Honour Judge Y W YUNG #
	Her Honour Judge Mary YUEN #
	His Honour Judge Stephen J GEISER
	His Honour Judge David LOK
	His Honour Judge Louis CHAN
	Her Honour Judge Marlene NG
	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 Stanley CHAN
	His Honour Judge C M LEUNG
	Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY
	Her Honour Judge Mimmie CHAN
	His Honour Judge Garry TALLENTIRE
	His Honour Judge Eddie YIP
	Her Honour Judge Katina LEVY
	His Honour Judge C K CHAN
	His Honour Judge Simon KWANG
	His Honour Judge Albert WONG
	His Honour Judge Frankie YIU
	His Honour Judge K W WONG
	His Honour Judge S T POON
	His Honour Judge Justin KO
	His Honour Judge Douglas YAU
	Her Honour Judge Anthea PANG (w.e.f. 1.2.2010)

#	Retired in 2010

Lands Tribunal

-	Member, Lands Tribunal
	Mr LO Wai-kwong

Magistrates' Courts and other Tribunals

-	Chief Magistrate
	Mr TONG Man
-	Principal Magistrates
	Mr KWOK Wai-kin
	Mr LIN Kam-hung, Ernest Michael
	Mr MA Hon-cheung, Andrew
	Mr LAM Wai-kuen, Josiah
	Mr CHOW Siu-wo, Anthony
	Mr KWOK Kai-on, Anthony
	Mr TAM Lee-cheung
-	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 YU Mun-kee, Roy
	Mr SMOUT Stephen
	Ms KOT Sin-yee, Angela
	Mr PANG Chung-ping
	Mr SHAM Siu-man
	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
	Mr GLASS John Trevor #
	Mr LEE Ka-chai, Lambert
	Mr HUI Ka-ho
	Mr WONG Kin-tong, Jack
	Ms WOO Huey-fang, Bernadette
	Ms LO Kit-yee, Katherine
	Mr WONG Yu-wing, Symon
	Ms CHAN Ling-ling, Tracy
	Mr CHAN Kam-cheong, Rickie
	Mr NG Sing-wai, William
	Mr TAM Kwok-wah
	Mr CHAN Jong-herng, Johnny
	Mrs TSE CHING Adriana Noelle
	Miss YIM Shun-yee, Ada
	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
	Ms CHAN Wai-mun
	Miss CHOW Pok-fun, Josephine
	Mr PANG Ka-kwong
	Mr WONG Lai-wing
	Mr HO Chin-pang, Dick
	Mr LUI Kin-man, Simon
	Mr YIP Sue-pui, Lawrence
	Mr SO Wai-tak
	Mr CHEUNG Kwan-ming
	Mr WAN Siu-ming, Jason
	Miss CHUI Yee-mei, Ivy
	Mr LI Kwok-wai (w.e.f. 15.1.2010)
-	Special Magistrates
	Mr HO Kang-kei, Daniel
	Mr TAM Ka-huen
	Mr CHAN Chi-kim
	Mr YU Cheuk-man
	Miss NG Chung-yee, Debbie
	Miss HEUNG Shuk-han, Veronica
	Mr CHU Chung-keung

#	Retired in 2010

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*
	2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
Applications for leave to appeal from the High Court
- Criminal	76	76	101	74 (45)	75 (41)	89 (55)
- Civil	82	60	47	66 (40)	86 (42)	41 (30)
Total	158	136	148	140	161	130
Substantive appeals from the High Court
- Criminal	12	11	14	8	10	13
- Civil	30	22	17	36	26	13
Total	42	33	31	44	36	26
Miscellaneous proceedings	2	2	2	2	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 Time (days)
	Target	2008	2009	2010
Applications for leave to appeal from the High Court
From notice of hearing to hearing
-Criminal	45	40	37	42
-Civil	35	35	32	33
Substantive appeals from the High Court
From notice of hearing to hearing
-Criminal	100	89	78	101
-Civil	120	95	105	97

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

High Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE HIGH COURT

		Caseload			Disposal *
		2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
Court of Appeal
Appellate
-	Criminal
	Appeals from the Court of First Instance	126	131	128	129	111	142
	Appeals from the District Court	304	346	356	357	314	366
	Sub-total	430	477	484	486	425	508
-	Civil
	Appeals from the Court of First Instance	313	213	222	295	219	192
	Appeals from the District Court	29	37	28	37	26	35
	Miscellaneous Appeals	43	35	34	39	36	48
	Sub-total	385	285	284	371	281	275
Review of Sentences
-	Criminal
	Reviews from the Court of First Instance	2	1	2	2	2	0
	Reviews from the District Court	5	7	11	6	7	7
	Reviews from the Magistrates' Courts	2	1	1	7	1	0
	Sub-total	9	9	14	15	10	7
	Total	824	771	782	872	716	790

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

		Caseload			Disposal *
		2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
Court of First Instance
Appellate
-	Criminal
	Appeals from Magistrates' Courts	1 125	1 043	980	1 156	996	994
-	Civil
	Appeals from Labour Tribunal	47	42	26	50	41	21
	Appeals from Small Claims Tribunal	50	53	51	59	50	40
	Appeals from Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board	10	8	17	13	5	14
	Miscellaneous Appeals	4	10	4	7	6	4
	Sub-total	111	113	98	129	102	79
	Total	1 236	1 156	1 078	1 285	1 098	1 073

First Instance
-	Criminal Jurisdiction
	Criminal Cases	311	425	444	301	367	419
	Confidential Miscellaneous Proceedings	64	64	96	64	64	96
	Application for Discharge	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Sub-total	375	489	540	365	431	515
-	Civil Jurisdiction^{^}
	High Court Actions	2 784	2 574	1 907	1 741	1 891	1 492
	Miscellaneous Proceedings	2 631	2 701	2 626	1 679	1 761	1 795
	Bankruptcy & Companies Winding-up+	14 500	19 693	10 680	11 629	17 105	11 062
	Personal Injuries Actions	951	872	706	927	677	865
	Other cases ^#	537	611	564	253	330	324
	Sub-total	21 403	26 451	16 483	16 229	21 764	15 538
	Total	21 778	26 940	17 023	16 594	22 195	16 053

-	Masters Chambers
	Interlocutory hearings^**	29 287	35 574	21 701	26 660	34 176	20 881
	Taxation bills	1 043	1 032	669	970⁽¹⁾	958⁽¹⁾	502⁽¹⁾
-	Probate
	Applications	13 339	14 676	14 350	12 958⁽²⁾	14 466⁽²⁾	13 909⁽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
^	On or before 2009, the definition under civil jurisdiction was based on party disposal, i.e. a case was treated as disposed of once one party in a case had been disposed of. Since 2010, the definition has been refined to the effect that a case is considered as disposed of only when all the parties involved have been disposed of
+	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 Time (days)
		Target	2008	2009	2010
Court of Appeal
-	Criminal cases - from setting down of a case to hearing	50	42	50	50
-	Civil cases - from application to fix date to hearing	90	85	94	89
Court of First Instance
-	Criminal Fixture - from filing of indictment to hearing	120	112	137	166
-	Criminal Running List - from setting down to hearing	90	63	85	81
-	Civil Fixture - from application to fix date to hearing	180	145	179	215
-	Civil Running List - from setting down to hearing	90	59	55	60
-	Appeals from Magistrates' Courts - from lodging of Notice of Appeal to hearing	90	90	95	95

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

District Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE DISTRICT COURT

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
-	Criminal Jurisdiction
	Criminal Cases	1 250	1 449	1 404	1 063	1 305	1 375
-	Civil Jurisdiction^{^}
	Civil	6 022	5 515	4 570	3 867	4 468	3 427
	Tax Claim	9 153	7 603	6 506	8 485	6 590	6 011
	Distress for Rent	5 540	6 320	4 933	5 497	6 322	5 016
	Employee's Compensation	1 570	1 523	1 606	1 075	1 159	1 324
	Other civil cases ⁺	6 242	6 368	5 645	3 515	3 970	4 534
	Sub-total	28 527	27 329	23 260	22 439	22 509	20 312
-	Family Jurisdiction
	Matrimonial Causes	15 703	16 374	17 359	15 534	14 629	15 266
	Joint Applications	2 327	2 889	3 490	2 237	2 373	2 901
	Miscellaneous Proceedings	215	262	270	191	217	169
	Adoption Applications	119	91	99	101	98	98
	Sub-total	18 364	19 616	21 218	18 063⁽¹⁾	17 317⁽¹⁾	18 434⁽¹⁾
	Total (Civil)	46 891	46 945	44 478	40 502	39 826	38 746
	Total	48 141	48 394	45 882	41 565	41 131	40 121

-	Master Chambers
	Interlocutory hearings^**	10 029	10 905	7 828	10 016	10 572	7 637
-	Taxation bills
	Divorce	3 287	2 880	2 747	2 903	2 544	2 554
	Others	854	764	502	466	685	425
	Sub-total	4 141	3 644	3 249	3 369⁽²⁾	3 229⁽²⁾	2 979⁽²⁾
	Total	14 170	14 549	11 077	13 385	13 801	10 616

*	Case disposal refers to those where defendants have been convicted or acquitted and those where claims have been successfully made or dismissed
^	On or before 2009, the definition under civil jurisdiction was based on party disposal, i.e. a case was treated as disposed of once one party in a case had been disposed of. Since 2010, the definition has been refined to the effect that a case is considered as disposed of only when all the parties involved have been disposed of
+	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 Time (days)
		Target	2008	2009	2010
Criminal cases - from first appearance of defendants in District Court to hearing		100	111	116	128
Civil cases - from date of listing to hearing		120	85	104	80
Dissolution of marriage - from setting down to hearing
-	Special procedure cases	35	31	32	32
-	Defended cases (one day hearing)	110	143	118	128

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Magistrates' Courts

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

		Caseload			Disposal *
		2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
-	Charge Cases	45 087	42 367	37 896	44 710	42 488	38 270
-	Hawker Cases	11 719	12 537	10 911	11 687	12 539	10 915
-	Departmental & Private Summonses	183 282	183 928	189 696	173 307	186 377	184 208
-	Driving-Offence Points Summonses	5 094	4 893	2 609	4 582	5 851	3 496
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Traffic)	1 202	1 033	905	1 143	1 154	924
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Public Cleanliness Offences)	458	578	451	419	624	475
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Smoking Offences)^@	-	7	89	-	1	77
-	Miscellaneous Proceedings	12 881	12 657	11 932	13 025	13 594	11 965
-	Departmental Notice	1 368	761	653	1 482	776	662
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Traffic)	73 119	64 959	59 387	75 579	66 955	60 355
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Public Cleanliness Offences)	3 232	3 606	3 003	3 176	3 567	3 066
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Smoking Offences)^@	-	113	1 019	-	47	965
	Total	337 442	327 439	318 551	329 110	333 973	315 378

*	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 Time (days)
		Target	2008	2009	2010
Summonses - from plea to date of trial		50	78	63	50
Charge Cases - from plea to date of trial
-	Cases involving defendants in custody	30-45	41	43	37
-	Cases involving defendants on bail	45-60	56	55	51

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Lands Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
-	Appeals	240	274	335	248	63	110
-	Compensation cases	34	17	12	22	27	20
-	Building management cases	329	394	340	389	459	315
-	Tenancy cases	4 611	4 347	4 592	3 682	3 497	3 623
-	Lands compulsory sale applications	10	8	21	52	9	11
-	Miscellaneous proceedings applications	4	6	10	3	6	10
	Total	5 228	5 046	5 310	4 396	4 061	4 089

*	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 Time (days)
		Target	2008	2009	2010
From setting down of a case to hearing
-	Appeals	100	44	47	37
-	Compensation cases	100	96	64	42
-	Building management cases	100	40	33	30
-	Tenancy cases	60	27	23	27

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Labour Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
-	Cases	7 199	7 758	4 670	4 867	5 859	4 678
-	Reviews	113	107	79	108	112	79
-	Restore claims	97	115	70	101	109	77
-	Set-aside awards	128	144	113	138	135	121
	Total	7 537	8 124	4 932	5 214	6 215	4 955

*	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 Time (days)
		Target	2008	2009	2010
-	From appointment to filing of a case	30	17	28	22
-	From filing of a case to first hearing	30	24	25	24

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Small Claims Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
-	Claims	59 246	59 797	57 837	55 495	54 816	50 702
-	Reviews	238	272	202	216	259	189
	Total	59 484	60 069	58 039	55 711	55 075	50 891

*	Case disposal refers to claims which have been made successfully or dismissed

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL

		Waiting Time (days)
		Target	2008	2009	2010
-	From filing of a case to first hearing	60	40	40	35

Overall picture on caseload and disposal at all Court levels

Obscene Articles Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
-	Articles for determination	43 533	12 746	37 677	42 404	13 894	36 191
-	Articles for classification	931	761	671	933	762	671
-	Articles for review	2	0	2	2	0	2
-	Articles for reconsideration	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	44 466	13 507	38 350	43 339	14 656	36 864

*	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 Time (days)
		Target	2008	2009	2010
-	From referral by a magistrate to commencement of determination of the subject matter of a court case	21	18	18	20
-	From receipt of application to classification	5	2	2	3
-	From receipt of application to review	35	19	-^#	26
-	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*
		2008	2009	2010	2008	2009	2010
-	Death inquests with jury	137	159	148	135	167	131
-	Death inquests without jury	14	23	42	10	26	41
	Total	151	182	190	145	193	172

*	Case disposal refers to death inquests concluded

WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE CORONER'S COURT

		Waiting Time (days)
		Target	2008	2009	2010
-	From date of listing to hearing	42	40	37	39

Membership List of
the Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee

-	Chairman	Chief Judge, 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
		Registrar, High Court
		Chief District Judge
		Registrar, District Court
		Mr Wesley WONG Department of Justice
		Mr Thomas KWONG Legal Aid Department
		Mr Joseph FOK, SC Hong Kong Bar Association (up to 31.1.2010)
		Mr Kumar Ramanathan, SC Hong Kong Bar Association (w.e.f. 26.2.2010)
		Mr LAI Ting-hong, Alex Law Society of Hong Kong
		Mr CHAN Bing-woon, SBS, JP Hong Kong Mediation Council
		Miss Emma LAU Judiciary Administrator
-	In Attendance	Mr NG Sek-hon Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
-	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 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 H C AU Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		Ms AU YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny Registrar, High Court
		His Honour Judge S T POON Acting Chief District Judge
		Her Honour Judge Bebe CHU Principal Family Court Judge
		Mr Simon LEE Department of Justice
		Mr Thomas KWONG Legal Aid Department
		Mr Rimsky YUEN, SC
		Mr Victor DAWES
		Mr Norris YANG
		Mrs Cecilia WONG
		Mr CHAN Bing-woon, SBS, JP
		Mr Gary SOO
		Ms Sylvia SIU
		Mr John BUDGE (w.e.f. 20.5.2010)
-	In Attendance	Ms Annie TANG Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)
		Ms April LAM Senior Mediation Affairs Officer
-	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 (up to 6.11.2010)
		The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG, SBS, V-P Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court (w.e.f. 7.11.2010)
-	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 (up to 31.8.2010)
		Mr LUNG Kim-wan Temporary Registrar, High Court (w.e.f. 1.9.2010)
		His Honour Judge S T POON Acting Chief District Judge
		Mr Joseph FOK, SC Hong Kong Bar Association (up to 31.1.2010)
		Mr Paul SHIEH, SC Hong Kong Bar Association (w.e.f. 1.2.2010)
		Mr LAI Ting-hong The Law Society of Hong Kong (up to 6.11.2010)
		Mr Thomas SO The Law Society of Hong Kong (w.e.f. 7.11.2010)
		Mr Bernard HUI
		Ms Cathy WONG Department of Justice (up to 6.11.2010)
		Miss Joyce CHAN Department of Justice (w.e.f. 7.11.2010)
		Mr Thomas KWONG Legal Aid Department
		Ms Polly YIP Official Receiver's Office (up to 3.1.2010)
		Mr Alan FONG Official Receiver's Office (w.e.f. 4.1.2010)
-	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 (up to 31.8.2010)
		Mr LUNG Kim-wan Temporary Registrar, High Court (w.e.f. 1.9.2010)
		His Honour Judge S T POON Acting Chief District Judge
		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 CHENG Se-lim Hong Kong Police Force
-	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 S T POON Acting Chief District Judge
		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
		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 Madam Justice Susan KWAN, JA 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
		Ms AU YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny Registrar, High Court (up to 31.8.2010)
		Mr LUNG Kim-wan Temporary Registrar, High Court (w.e.f. 1.9.2010)
		His Honour Judge S T POON Acting Chief District Judge
		Mr TONG Man Chief Magistrate
		Miss Emma LAU Judiciary Administrator
		Mr David LEUNG 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
		Professor Anton COORAY City University of Hong Kong
		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	Ms Catherine LEE	Acting Chief Systems Manager (Information Systems Strategy Study)
(b)	Operations Division	Ms Betty CHAN	Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)
(c)	Support to Judges Section	Ms Frieda LEUNG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)1
		Mr Roger LAW	Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2
(d)	Clerk of Court's Office	Mrs Pamela PANG	Clerk of Court
(e)	Court of Final Appeal Registry	Mr Jackson CHAN	Acting Senior Judicial Clerk I (Court of Final Appeal)
(f)	High Court Registry	Ms Judy FUNG	Chief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry) [up to 31.5.2010]
		Mr M K LAM	Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry) [w.e.f. 1.6.2010]
(g)	District Court	Mr K H CHENG	Chief Judicial Clerk (Registry, District Court) [up to 15.10.2010]
		Mr Barry LEE	Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Registry, District Court) [w.e.f. 18.10.2010]
		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 [up to 20.11.2010]
		Ms Rebecca LO	Acting Chief Probate Officer [w.e.f. 22.11.2010]
(l)	Labour Tribunal Registry	Mr W M WONG	Acting Registrar (Labour Tribunal)
(m)	Small Claims Tribunal Registry	Mr M K LAM	Acting Chief Judicial Clerk ( Small Claims Tribunal ) [up to 13.5.2010]
		Ms Peggy CHAN	Acting Chief Judicial Clerk ( Small Claims Tribunal ) [w.e.f. 14.5.2010]
(n)	Court Language Section	Ms Celina WONG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)
		Ms Yvonne CHAU	Chief Court Interpreter
(o)	Bailiff Section	Mr Sunny KWAN	Chief Bailiff (Administration and Admiralty)
		Mr T M CHOI	Chief Bailiff (Operations)
(p)	Mediation Information Office	Ms April LAM	Senior Mediation Affairs Officer
(q)	Family Mediation Coordinator's Office	Mrs P F MAK	Mediation Coordinator (Family)
(r)	Building Management Mediation Coordinator's Office	Ms S F CHAN	Mediation Coordinator (Building Management)
(s)	Information Systems Strategy Study Support Team	Ms Gloria POON	Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Systems Strategy Study)

Development Division

Ms Annie TANG, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)

(a)	Development Office	Ms Clara TANG	Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)
(b)	Press & Public Relations Office	Mrs Angela WONG	Principal Information Officer [up to 15.9.2010]
		Ms Florence WONG	Acting Principal Information Officer [w.e.f. 16.9.2010]

Quality Division

Mr Stanley TO, Acting Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality)

(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	Senior Judiciary Executive (Legal Reference and Library)
(e)	Management Information Section	Ms Memory WONG	Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Management Information)
(f)	Management Review Section	Ms Cora CHENG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Management Review)

Corporate Services Division

Mrs Angela LO, 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) [up to 9.6.2010]
		Ms Winky WONG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Staff) [w.e.f. 10.6.2010]
(e)	West Kowloon Law Courts Building Integrated Team	Mr Sonny CHING	Senior Architect

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

Date	Activity
9.1.2010	* Conference on "Hong Kong Political Reform Series: The 2009 Consultation Document - Will it Break the Deadlock?", organised by the University of Hong Kong
21.1.2010	* Seminar on "Future of Microfinance: Leveraging the Platform", organised by the University of Hong Kong
30.1.2010	* Seminar on "The Trial of Liu Xiaobo and Beyond", organised by the University of Hong Kong
2.2.2010	* Seminar on "The Taxation of Offshore Residents from the USA, UK and Australia - A Comparative Analysis", organised by the University of Hong Kong
3.2.2010	* Talk on "Extradition and Human Rights", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
24.2.2010	* Seminar on "The 9/11 Effect: Comparative Counter - Terrorism Law", organised by the University of Hong Kong
24.2.2010	* Seminar on "The Evolving Jurisprudence on Constitutional Remedies", organised by the University of Hong Kong
25.2.2010	* Seminar on "Hong Kong's Tax History and Some of the Questions It Raises", organised by the University of Hong Kong
25.2.2010	* Seminar on "A Comparative Examination of Wrongful Convictions", organised by the University of Hong Kong
27.2.2010	* Conference on "Legal Education in Asia: JD in Focus", organised by the University of Hong Kong
1.3.2010	* Talk on "Remedies in Unfair Prejudice Proceedings", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
4.3.2010	* Talk on "Can and Should the Law Ensure Procedural Fairness for those Suspected of Terrorism?", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
5 - 6.3.2010	* Conference on "Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal: The Andrew Li Court 1997-2010", organised by the University of Hong Kong
9.3.2010	* Lecture on "Mistaking the Trust", organised by the University of Hong Kong
9.3.2010	* Talk on "Estoppel – Sword or Shield and Proprietary Estoppel", organised by Hong Kong Bar Association
10.3.2010 - 26.5.2010	Chinese Judgment Writing Course (run by the University of Hong Kong), organised by the Judicial Studies Board
11.3.2010	* Seminar on "The Role of Domestic and Supra-National Courts in Climate Change Governance", organised by the University of Hong Kong
12.3.2010	* Talk on "Re-thinking Foundations of Human Rights in a Fragmented World", organised by the University of Hong Kong
12 - 13, 15 - 17.3.2010	* Mediator Skills Accreditation Course, organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
13.3.2010	* Symposium on "Alternative Visions of Human Rights", organised by the University of Hong Kong
13.3.2010	* Keynote address on "The Rule of Law and the Human Condition", organised by the University of Hong Kong
17.3.2010	* Talk on "Judicial Review in Criminal Proceedings", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
18.3.2010	* Seminar on "Court Mediation Systems and Mediator Ethics", organised by the University of Hong Kong
24.3.2010	* Seminar on "The Outer Boundaries of Money in the Law", organised by the University of Hong Kong
27.3.2010	Visit to the Customs and Excise Department Airport Command, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
8.4.2010	* Seminar on "Does the University Own You - Body and Soul?", organised by the University of Hong Kong
12.4.2010	* Seminar on "Lex Hong Kong? Lex Britannica?", organised by the University of Hong Kong
13.4.2010	* Seminar on "A Greek Test for the European Monetary Union", organised by the University of Hong Kong
14.4.2010	* Seminar on "The Possibility and the Pitfall of Inferring Factual Causation", organised by the University of Hong Kong
15.4.2010	* Lecture on "International Financial Dispute Resolution", organised by the University of Hong Kong
15 - 16.4.2010	* Civil Justice Reform Conference, jointly organised by University College London and the University of Hong Kong
17.4.2010	A Joint Conference for District Judges and Magistrates, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
20.4.2010	* Seminar on "The Report of the Working Group on Mediation: Recommendations on the Future of Mediation", organised by the University of Hong Kong
22.4.2010	* Seminar on "The Issue of Impunity in Burma: Forgotten People in Asia who deserve to be protected by International Human Rights Laws", organised by the University of Hong Kong
30.4.2010	* Seminar on "International Taxation Prosecutions", organised by the University of Hong Kong
7.5.2010	* Seminar on "Are Securities Class Actions in the U.S. "Supplemental" to SEC Enforcement? An Empirical Analysis", organised by the University of Hong Kong
13.5.2010	* Seminar on "European Legal Cultures & Globalisation", organised by the University of Hong Kong
14.5.2010	* Seminar on "A Lack of Resolution", organised by the University of Hong Kong
17.5.2010	* High Level Dialogue on "Punitive laws, human rights and HIV prevention among men who have sex with men in Asia Pacific", organised by the University of Hong Kong
2.6.2010	* Seminar on "Taxation in Mainland China: Tax Law or Administrative Rulings – Which is "King"", organised by the University of Hong Kong
2 - 5.6.2010	The 47th Annual Conference on "Traversing the trail of alienation", organised by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (held in Denver, Colorado, the United States)
8.6.2010	* Seminar on "OTC Derivatives Regulation in Hong Kong: The Way Forward and Challenges", organised by the University of Hong Kong
8.6.2010	* Talk on "Reflections on the Retrospective and Prospective Effect of Constitutional Judgments" by the Chief Justice", organised by the University of Hong Kong
10.6.2010	Talk on "Interpreting Legislation: Text, Context and Purpose" by Mr. Justice Gleeson, Non-permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
30.6.2010 - 2.7.2010	* Conference on "International Child Abduction, Re-location and Forced Marriage - 3 linked topics and the global perspective", organised by the London Metropolitan University (held in London, the United Kingdom)
7.7.2010	* Seminar on "Did We Tame the Beast? Some Thoughts on the US Financial Reforms", organised by the University of Hong Kong
8.7.2010	Seminar on "How to Write Up Statement of Findings" and "Judicial Conduct", organised by the Judicial Studies Board
9 - 10, 12 - 14.7.2010	* Mediator Skills Accreditation Course, organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
21.7.2010	* Seminar on "The Limits of the WTO as a Promoter of Freedom of Speech: Reflections on a Potential Google Dispute", organised by the University of Hong Kong
23.08.2010 - 17.9.2010	Tsinghua University Chinese Judgment Writing Course, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
7.9.2010	* Seminar on "Adapting the Full Protection and Security Standard of International Investment Law to the Digital Age", organised by the University of Hong Kong
15.9.2010	* Seminar on "Cohabitation and Law - European Perspectives", organised by the University of Hong Kong
20.9.2010	* Talk on "The Business of Luxury Brands and Trademark Protection", organised by the University of Hong Kong
21.9.2010	* Seminar on "Taxation Planning in an International Environment", organised by the University of Hong Kong
24.9.2010	Talk on "The Rule of Law and Compromise – The Rule of Law Unlocked" by The Rt Hon Lord Justice Laws, Lord Justice of Appeal, Court of Appeal of England and Wales, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
29.9.2010	* Talk on "Keeping the Internet Open", organised by the University of Hong Kong
30.9.2010	* Law Lectures for Practitioners 2010, organised by the University of Hong Kong
4 - 6.10.2010	* Asia-Pacific Courts Conference, organised by the Subordinate Courts of Singapore (held in Singapore)
7.10.2010	* Seminar on "The Rewrite of the Companies Ordinance", organised by the University of Hong Kong
9.10.2010	Chinese Input Software Training Course - 九方輸入法, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
11.10.2010	* Talk on "The Law of Illegality – after Stone v. Rolls", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
11.10.2010	* Seminar on "Review of Animal Welfare Laws in Hong Kong", organised by the University of Hong Kong
15.10.2010	* Seminar on "Common Law Rules for Regulating Derivatives", organised by the University of Hong Kong
15.10.2010	* Seminar on "Legal Issues Affecting the Future of Hong Kong, 1978-79", organised by the University of Hong Kong
26.10.2010	* Seminar on "Lawyers as Public Enemy in China: How and Why", organised by the University of Hong Kong
28.10.2010	* Rights Talk on "The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: Mandate and Activities", organised by the University of Hong Kong
29 - 30.10, 1 - 3.11.2010	* Mediator Skills Accreditation Course, organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
30.10.2010	* Civil Justice Reform Training Joint General Seminar "CJR Update", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Hong Kong Academy of Law (of the Law Society of Hong Kong)
30.10.2010	Chinese Input Software Training Course - 速成輸入法, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
6.11.2010	Visit to Marine Police HQs, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
12.11.2010	* Seminar on "The Kosovo Declaration of Independence of 17th February 2008 and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 22 July 2010", organised by the University of Hong Kong
13.11.2010	Chinese Input Software Training Course - 九方輸入法, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
17.11.2010	* Seminar on "Disclosure of Price Sensitive Information: is there a Correspondence Between State Enforcement and Compliance?", organised by the University of Hong Kong
20.11.2010	Chinese Input Software Training Course - 倉頡輸入法, organised by the Judicial Studies Board
22.11.2010	* Seminar on "The Future of the European Union after the Lisbon Treaty", organised by the University of Hong Kong
23 - 24, 26.11.2010	* Hochelaga Lectures on "International Law in Asia", organised by the University of Hong Kong
25.11.2010	* Rights Talk "Positive Obligations and the Right to Life according to Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights", organised by the University of Hong Kong
27.11.2010	* Hong Kong Political Reform Series on "Deadlock Broken - What Next?", organised by the University of Hong Kong
30.11.2010	* Seminar on "The Practice of Citizens' Rights – The Rights of Freedom of Association in China", organised by the University of Hong Kong
30.11.2010	* Seminar on "Recent Developments in Securities Law", organised by the University of Hong Kong
2.12.2010	* Seminar on "The Possibility of the Reconstruction of the Dao: A New Legal Philosophy for Contemporary China", organised by the University of Hong Kong
8.12.2010	* Seminar on "The Growth of Australia's National Corporate Regulator (Australian Securities and Investments Commission): The New Puppet Master or Just a Gatekeeper?", organised by the University of Hong Kong
9.12.2010	* Seminar on "The Application of the Hague Convention on Private International Law in Hong Kong", organised by the University of Hong Kong
10.12.2010	* Seminar on "Eastphalia" and Lecture on "Legal Reform in Northeast Asia: Implications for China", organised by the University of Hong Kong
14.12.2010	* Seminar on "An Analysis of the Phenomenon of Judicial Politicization in China: The Example of the Institution of Complaint Letters and Visits", organised by the University of Hong Kong
15.12.2010	* Seminar on "Economic and Social Rights: The Role of Courts in China", organised by the University of Hong Kong
15.12.2010	* Seminar on "Globalisation and the Future of Corporate - Shareholder Taxation", organised by the University of Hong Kong

* Organised by Local Outside Organisations

Number of Visits and Visitors to the Judiciary in 2009 and 2010

	2009	2010
Local
No. of visits	214	222
No. of visitors	6 633	6 901
The Mainland of China
No. of visits	40	44
No. of visitors	1 004	964
Overseas
No. of visits	33	23
No. of visitors	433	275
Total
No. of visits	287	289
No. of visitors	8 070	8 140

	Number of Visitors
Category of Visitors	2009	2010
Judges and legal profession	581	306
Government officials	446	737
Students and others	7 043	7 097
Total	8 070	8 140

Expenditure and Revenue of the Judiciary for 2009-2010

Recurrent Expenditure

		2009-2010 ($' 000)
-	Personal Emoluments	742,854
-	Departmental Expenses	223,727
-	Other Charges	7,039
	Total	973,620

Revenue*

		2009-2010 ($' 000)
-	Fees & Charges	175,454
-	Fines	215,206
-	Forfeitures & Others	253,253
	Total	643,913

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

Number of Complaints Against Judges and Judicial Officers

	Nature of Complaints	2010
(1)	Complaints against judges' decisions	85
(2)	Complaints against judges' conduct	41
(3)	Complaints against both the judicial decisions and the judge's conduct	33
	Total	159

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 2010 is 502,544.

Number of Complaints Against the Judiciary Administration

	Nature of Complaints	2010*
-	Complaints about procedures	17
-	Complaints about facilities	19
-	Complaints about the judicial support services	23
-	Complaints against staff of the Judiciary Administration	76
	Total	135

*	Oral complaints included