This Report provides an overview of the major events of the Judiciary during 2012. 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 –

The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG was appointed a Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal in October. Mr Justice TANG is a judge of eminent standing and reputation.

The implementation of CJR for the third year continued to be smooth and satisfactory on the whole. As the key to the success of CJR lies in a change of culture, a longer time will be required to assess the full impact, benefit and effectiveness of CJR. The Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee will continue to monitor the working of the reformed civil justice system.

The Practice Direction 31 on Mediation has been implemented for three years to assist the courts in encouraging litigants to use mediation. The revised Practice Direction 15.10 on Family Mediation was effected in May to set out in more details the prescribed procedures of mediation in family and matrimonial proceedings. The Mediation Information Office in the High Court Building supports the implementation by providing useful assistance to parties in relation to mediation.

The Judiciary has taken over the management of No. 8 Jackson Road, where the Legislative Council was previously accommodated. The Court of Final Appeal will be relocated to No. 8 Jackson Road with a view to enhancing its efficient and smooth functioning in this prestigious historic building. The Judiciary is pressing ahead with the planning and implementation of this important project and envisages its completion in 2015.

The International Family Justice Judicial Conference was co-hosted by the Judiciary and the Department of Justice between 29 and 31 August. The main theme of the Conference was “The Role of Common Law in the Future Development of International Family Justice”. The Conference was a first ever international family law conference held in Hong Kong, involving a total of around 100 participants (including Judges and Judicial Officers, academics and practitioners from the legal profession) from 30 jurisdictions. The Conference has facilitated understanding and exchanges of judicial experiences on family and matrimonial matters among different jurisdictions.

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