Hong Kong Judiciary Annual Report 2012

	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 –

	Appointment of Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
	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.

	Civil Justice Reform (CJR)
	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.

	Mediation
	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.

	Relocation of the Court of Final Appeal
	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.

	International Family Justice Judicial Conference
	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.

	Geoffrey Ma Chief Justice

Review of 2012

	Following the tradition, the year 2012 began with the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year on 9 January, at which the Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA spoke about the work of the Judiciary and the operation of the law as it affected the community. The Chief Justice also mentioned the exciting project to relocate the Court of Final Appeal to No. 8 Jackson Road, with a view to making available many restored historical features of the original building for the public to enjoy. On access to justice, the Chief Justice emphasised that there could not fully be justice unless there was proper access to it. He approached this question from the vantage points of the Government, the Court and the legal profession. He also mentioned two areas in which the administration of justice could be improved, namely, improving the cost-effectiveness of the legal proceedings involved in claims under various anti-discrimination ordinances, and considering abolishing the automatic right of litigants in a civil dispute to appeal from the Court of Appeal to the Court of Final Appeal based solely on monetary value.

	Exchanges with other Jurisdictions
	In 2012, our Judges and Judicial Officers attended various conferences and seminars for exchanges with their counterparts from other jurisdictions. In particular, the Chief Justice attended the Supreme Court of Queensland Seminar in Brisbane in August. He gave a talk on the topic “Duties Owed to the Court: Fact, Fiction and Continuing Relevance”, which was well received. During his visit, the Chief Justice met with his counterparts, including the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia.

	Appointment of Judges and Judicial Officers
	Many judicial appointments were made in the year 2012. Most notable were the appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG as a Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, the appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM and the Hon Mr Justice Aarif T BARMA as Justices of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, and the appointment of the Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG, the Hon Mr Justice Patrick LI, the Hon Madam Justice Esther TOH, the Hon Mr Justice Louis CHAN, the Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHAN, the Hon Madam Justice Mimmie CHAN, and the Hon Mr Justice Anthony CHAN as Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court.

	Caseload and Case Disposal
	In general, there have not been great fluctuations in the numbers of caseload and cases disposed of. As regards waiting times, the majority of the performance targets at various levels of courts were achieved. A few targets in the High Court were not met. One of the main reasons for this is due to the temporary constraints in the deployment of judicial manpower in the High Court as a result of elevation of Judges to higher positions and retirement of Judges. The open recruitment exercise for the Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court was completed in mid 2012 and new appointments were announced in the latter part of 2012 and will be made in 2013. These new substantive appointments will help in improving the waiting times. The Judiciary will continue to closely monitor the situation.

	Membership of Boards and Committees
	The Chief Justice appointed Judges and Judicial Officers and invited representatives from the legal profession and relevant government departments to sit on a number of boards and committees to contribute valuable views to issues that are important to the operation of the Judiciary. These boards and committees include the Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee, Working Party on Mediation, Civil Court Users’ Committee, Criminal Court Users’ Committee and Family Court Users’ Committee.

	Visits and Visitors to the Judiciary
	In 2012, the Judiciary arranged about 300 visits with more than 8,600 visitors. Among all, most visitors are local students. We treasure all opportunities to meet with visitors and introduce to them different perspectives of the Judiciary.

	You are cordially invited to visit our Photo Gallery for various memorable moments of the Judiciary in 2012.

Highlights of Events in 2012

January

1	Mr FUNG Pak-tung, Patrick, SC, Mr HO Ambrose, SC, Mr JAT Sew-tong, SC, Mr CHAN Kin-keung, Anthony, SC, Mr YUEN Rimsky, SC and Mr SHIEH Wing-tai, Paul, SC were re-appointed Recorders of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
6	A 43-member delegation of the Chinese Law Society and Comparative Law Study Group, Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Republic of Korea, visited the Judiciary
9	The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA declared opening of the 2012 Legal Year
13	Ms Tiina ASTOLA, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of Finland, visited the Judiciary
25 - 31	The Hon Mr Justice Michael J HARTMANN, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court and the Hon Mr Justice S C POON, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Hague Child Abduction Convention: Sixth Meeting of the Special Commission (Part II) in Hague, the Netherlands

February

8 - 10	A 13-member delegation led by Mr JIANG Huiling, Deputy Director of Judicial Reform Office of the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
15	A seven-member delegation from the Justice Departments/Bureaux of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
22	Dr Peretz SEGAL, Head of the Legal Counsel Department of the Ministry of Justice of Israel, visited the Judiciary
27	Legislative Council Members visited the Judiciary

March

1	The term of office of the Hon Mr Justice Murray GLEESON, the Rt Hon the Lord NEUBERGER of Abbotsbury, the Rt Hon the Lord WALKER of Gestingthorpe, Non-Permanent Judges from other common law jurisdictions of the Court of Final Appeal, was extended for a period of three years
2	A 10-member delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
2	Dr František KORBEL, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic, visited the Judiciary
21	The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered a talk entitled "Judicial Independence: A Matter of Perception or of Reasoning?" at the Seventh Conference of the Independence of the Judiciary at the City University of Hong Kong
30.3 - 2.4	A 12-member delegation of the Judicial Service Commission of the Republic of Kenya visited the Judiciary

April

2	Ms Beatrix KARL, Federal Minister of Justice of Austria, visited the Judiciary
25	Mr Peter LODDER QC, former Chairman of the General Council of the Bar of the United Kingdom, visited the Judiciary

May

7	Ms HU Zejun, Executive Deputy Procurator-General of Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
9	The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered a keynote address on "Legal Limits in the Battle against Corruption" at the opening of the Fifth ICAC Symposium
11	A 30-member delegation of judges attending the Fifth Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges at the Law School of the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary
14	Mr SO Kai-cheung, Miss HO Lai-ming, Miss LAU Suk-han, Mr LI Chi-ho and Ms LEUNG Ka-kie were appointed Special Magistrates
15 - 16	The Hon Mr Justice Patrick CHAN, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended as a distinguished guest at the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing and a key speaker in one of the two parallel academic conferences on "Legal Reform and Legal Education's Innovation"
22 - 26	The Hon Mr Justice S K S BOKHARY, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, visited Switzerland to deliver a public lecture on "The Rule of Law in Hong Kong 15 years after the Handover" at the University of Zurich

June

8	Chief Justice Marilyn WARREN of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia visited the Judiciary
10 - 13	The Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, participated in the 21st International Council for Commercial Arbitration Congress and attended as a distinguished visitor to Singapore under the Singapore Law Visitors Programme of the Singapore Academy of Law
18	His Honour Paul SMITH, Member of the Land Court of Queensland, Australia, visited the Judiciary
25 - 29	Mr Ernest SCHMATT, the Chief Executive of the Judicial Commission of New South Wales, Australia, visited the Judiciary
27	The Hon Mr Justice John Barry MORTIMER, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, delivered a talk entitled "The Rule of Law : The Role of the Judge and Bar" at the High Court

July

1	The term of office of the Rt Hon Sir Thomas Munro GAULT, Non-Permanent Judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal, was extended for a period of three years The appointment of Mr YUEN Rimsky, SC as a Recorder of the Court of First Instance of the High Court was revoked
5	A 15-member delegation attending a summer programme co-organised by the University of Hong Kong and Shantou University of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
9 - 10	A group of 13 law students from Shantou University of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
11	A 21-member delegation of the International Criminal Law Study Group, the Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Republic of Korea, visited the Judiciary
17	The Hon James SPIGELMAN, AC, QC visited the Judiciary
19	A five-member delegation led by Mr Justice Anthony GATES, Chief Justice of the Republic of Fiji, visited the Judiciary
25	A 22-member delegation from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution of the United States visited the Judiciary
28	The term of office of three Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal consisting of one Hong Kong judge and two judges from other common law jurisdictions was extended for a period of three years: Non-Permanent Hong Kong Judge Mr Justice John Barry MORTIMER Non-Permanent Judges from other common law jurisdictions The Hon Sir Anthony MASON The Rt Hon the Lord MILLETT
31.7 - 10.8	The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA gave a talk on the topic of "Duties Owed to the Court: Fact, Fiction and Continuing Relevance" at the Supreme Court of Queensland Seminar in Brisbane, Australia; attended the Meeting of the Council of Chief Justices of Australia and New Zealand; attended the opening of the new courthouse in Brisbane; and met with his counterparts including the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia

August

16	The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM was appointed Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court Madam Registrar Queeny AU-YEUNG, His Honour Judge Patrick LI, Her Honour Judge Esther TOH, His Honour Judge Louis CHAN, His Honour Judge Andrew CHAN and Her Honour Judge Mimmie CHAN were appointed Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
22	A 12-member delegation led by Mr TAN Guoxiang, Executive Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress visited the Judiciary
29 - 31	The Judiciary and Department of Justice co-hosted the International Family Justice Judicial Conference 2012
29.8 - 1.9	The Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the Yale's Global Constitutionalism Seminar at the Peace Palace, the Hague, the Netherlands

September

7	A 27-member delegation from the Court of Appeal, Region 8 of Thailand visited the Judiciary
13	Mr William TREANOR, Dean of Georgetown University Law Centre of the United States, and Professor James FEINERMAN, visited the Judiciary
13 - 14	The Hon Madam Justice Susan KWAN, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, attended the Sixth Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration Incorporated Appellate Judges' Conference in Brisbane, Australia
14	The term of office of the Hon Mr Justice Henry Denis LITTON, Non-Permanent Hong Kong Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, was extended for a period of three years
14	A six-member delegation from the China University of Political Science and Law visited the Judiciary
17	His Honour Judge S T POON was appointed Chief District Judge Mr KWOK Wai-kin, Mr LAM Wai-kuen, Josiah, Mr KWOK Kai-on, Anthony, Mr DUFTON David John, Mr SHAM Siu-man, Ms WOODCOCK Amanda Jane, Mr HUI Ka-ho, Mr WONG Kin-tong, Jack, Ms LO Kit-yee, Katherine, Mr CHAN Jong-herng, Johnny and Mr LAM Kar-yan, Gary were appointed District Judges Mr LI Chi-ho, Ms WONG Susan, Ms LAU Yee-wan, Winnie, Mr TANG Siu-hung, Daniel, Mr CHEUNG Chi-wai, David, Mr CHENG Lim-chi, Ms LAM Mei-sze, Michelle, Mr CHUM Yau-fong, David, Mr SHUM Kei-leong, Timon, Mr KO Wai-hung and Miss HO Wai-yang were appointed Magistrates
27	A 12-member delegation from the Court of Appeal, Region 2 of Thailand visited the Judiciary

October

1	The Rt Hon the Lord PHILLIPS of Worth Matravers was appointed Non-Permanent Judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal
11	A 29-member delegation of judges attending the Sixth Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges at the Law School of the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary
11 - 13	Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY, District Judge, attended the Concurrent Conference of the Family Court of Australia and Federal Magistrates Court in Hobart, Australia and gave a speech
14 - 17	Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY, District Judge, attended the 15th National Family Law Conference in Hobart, Australia
18 - 19	The Hon Mr Justice Wally YEUNG, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, attended the Inaugural Meeting of the National Indemnity Theory Specialised Committee of the China Judicial Theory Research Association and the Symposium on "The Perfection of Criminal Indemnity System" in Guiyang of the People's Republic of China
25	The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG was appointed Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal The Hon Mr Justice S K S BOKHARY was appointed Non-Permanent Hong Kong Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
26	A 12-member delegation led by Dr. Wolfgang POESCHL, Vice-President of the Supreme Court of Austria, visited the Judiciary

November

1	Mr CHAN Kin-keung, Anthony, SC was appointed Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
6 - 9	His Honour Judge Jack WONG, District Judge, attended the Special Commission Meeting on the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents in the Hague, the Netherlands
8-9	A 12-member delegation led by Mr XI Xiaoming, Vice President of the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
13	Mr LI Shu-yuk, Andrew and Mr AU-YEUNG Ho-wing, Herbert were appointed District Judges Ms CHEUNG Kit-yee and Ms CHEUNG Tin-ngan, June were appointed Magistrates
14	A 25-member delegation of judges attending the Second Doctor of Juridical Science (Chinese Judges) Programme of the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary
21 - 22	An eight-member delegation from the Guangdong Higher People's Court of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
23	The Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Conference on "Mediation in Hong Kong – Your Options" in Huizhou and delivered the opening speech
28	The Hon Mr Justice Aarif T BARMA was appointed Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
28 - 30	His Worship Henry Peter ADONYO, Chief Registrar of Uganda, visited the Judiciary
30	Mr Michael TODD QC, Chairman of the Bar of England and Wales, visited the Judiciary

December

3	The Hon Judith COLLINS, Minister of Justice of New Zealand, visited the Judiciary
13 - 14	A 12-member delegation led by Mr HU Yifeng, President of the Neimenggu Higher People's Court of the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
14	A six-member delegation from the Jiangsu Higher People's Court of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
18	A six-member delegation led by Mr HAO Chiyong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China, 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 Geoffrey MA, GBM
-	Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal
	The Hon Mr Justice S K S BOKHARY, GBM #
	The Hon Mr Justice Patrick CHAN
	The Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO
	The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG, SBS (w.e.f. 25.10.2012)
-	Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal
	The Hon Mr Justice Gerald Paul NAZARETH, GBS (up to 27.7.2012)
	The Hon Mr Justice John Barry MORTIMER, GBS
	The Hon Mr Justice Henry Denis LITTON, GBM
	The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG, SBS (up to 24.10.2012)
	The Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK
	The Hon Mr Justice Michael J HARTMANN, GBS
	The Hon Mr Justice S K S BOKHARY, GBM (w.e.f. 25.10.2012)
	The Hon Sir Anthony MASON
	The Rt Hon the Lord HOFFMANN
	The Hon Sir Gerard BRENNAN (up to 27.7.2012)
	The Rt Hon the Lord MILLETT
	The Rt Hon the Lord WOOLF of Barnes (up to 27.7.2012)
	The Rt Hon the Lord SCOTT of Foscote (up to 27.7.2012)
	The Hon Mr Justice Michael McHUGH (up to 30.6.2012)
	The Rt Hon Sir Thomas Munro GAULT
	The Hon Mr Justice Murray GLEESON
	The Rt Hon the Lord NEUBERGER of Abbotsbury
	The Rt Hon the Lord WALKER of Gestingthorpe
	The Rt Hon the Lord COLLINS of Mapesbury
	The Rt Hon the Lord CLARKE of Stone-cum-Ebony
	The Rt Hon the Lord PHILLIPS of Worth Matravers (w.e.f. 1.10.2012)

#	Retired in 2012

High Court

-	Chief Judge of the High Court
	The Hon Mr Justice CHEUNG
-	Justices of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
	The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG, SBS, V-P (up to 24.10.2012)
	The Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK, V-P
	The Hon Mr Justice Wally YEUNG, V-P
	The Hon Mr Justice Peter CHEUNG, JA
	The Hon Madam Justice Maria C YUEN, JA
	The Hon Mr Justice Michael J HARTMANN, JA #
	The Hon Madam Justice Susan KWAN, JA
	The Hon Mr Justice Joseph P FOK, JA
	The Hon Madam Justice Carlye CHU, JA
	The Hon Mr Justice Michael V LUNN, JA
	The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, JA (w.e.f. 16.8.2012)
	The Hon Mr Justice Aarif T BARMA, JA (w.e.f. 28.11.2012)
-	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 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 Mr Justice Louis TONG
	The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM (up to 15.8.2012)
	The Hon Mr Justice Aarif T BARMA (up to 27.11.2012)
	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 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 H C AU
	The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS
	The Hon Mr Justice Mohan T BHARWANEY
	The Hon Mr Justice Andrew C MACRAE
	The Hon Mr Justice Ian C McWALTERS
	The Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG (w.e.f. 16.8.2012)
	The Hon Mr Justice Patrick LI (w.e.f. 16.8.2012)
	The Hon Madam Justice Esther TOH (w.e.f. 16.8.2012)
	The Hon Mr Justice Louis CHAN (w.e.f. 16.8.2012)
	The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHAN (w.e.f. 16.8.2012)
	The Hon Madam Justice Mimmie CHAN (w.e.f. 16.8.2012)
	The Hon Mr Justice Anthony CHAN (w.e.f. 1.11.2012)
-	Recorders of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
	Mr YU Benjamin, SBS, SC, JP (up to 30.11.2012)
	Mr FUNG Pak-tung, Patrick, BBS, SC
	Mr HO Ambrose, SC, JP
	Mr JAT Sew-tong, SC, JP
	Mr CHAN Kin-keung, Anthony, SC (up to 31.10.2012)
	Mr YUEN Rimsky, SC, JP (up to 30.6.2012)
	Mr SHIEH Wing-tai, Paul, SC
	Mr WONG Yuk-lun, Horace, SC (up to 31.12.2012)
	Mr CHOW Ka-ming, Anderson, SC
-	Registrar, High Court
	Ms AU-YEUNG Kwai-yue, Queeny (up to 15.8.2012)
-	Deputy Registrars, High Court
	Mr HO Chi-yin, Andy
	Mr LUNG Kim-wan

*	Left service in 2012
#	Retired in 2012

District Court

-	Chief District Judge
	His Honour Judge Patrick LI (up to 15.8.2012)
	His Honour Judge S T POON (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
-	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 (up to 15.8.2012)
	His Honour Judge Stephen J GEISER
	His Honour Judge David LOK
	His Honour Judge Louis CHAN (up to 15.8.2012)
	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 (up to 15.8.2012)
	His Honour Judge Stanley CHAN
	His Honour Judge C M LEUNG
	Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY
	Her Honour Judge Mimmie CHAN (up to 15.8.2012)
	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 (up to 16.9.2012)
	His Honour Judge Justin KO
	His Honour Judge Douglas YAU
	Her Honour Judge Anthea PANG
	His Honour Judge W K KWOK (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	His Honour Judge Josiah LAM (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	His Honour Judge Anthony KWOK (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	His Honour Judge David J DUFTON (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	His Honour Judge S M SHAM (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Her Honour Judge Amanda J WOODCOCK (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	His Honour Judge K H HUI (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	His Honour Judge Jack WONG (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Her Honour Judge Katherine LO (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	His Honour Judge Johnny CHAN (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	His Honour Judge Gary LAM (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	His Honour Judge Andrew LI (w.e.f. 13.11.2012)
	His Honour Judge Herbert AU-YEUNG (w.e.f. 13.11.2012)

#	Retired in 2012

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 (up to 16.9.2012)
	Mr LIN Kam-hung, Ernest Michael
	Mr MA Hon-cheung, Andrew
	Mr LAM Wai-kuen, Josiah (up to 16.9.2012)
	Mr CHOW Siu-wo, Anthony
	Mr KWOK Kai-on, Anthony (up to 16.9.2012)
	Mr TAM Lee-cheung
-	Magistrates
	Ms CHAINRAI Bina
	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 YUEN Wai-ming, Anthony
	Mr DUFTON David John (up to 16.9.2012)
	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 (up to 16.9.2012)
	Ms WOODCOCK Amanda Jane (up to 16.9.2012)
	Mrs WU CHAU Yuen-man, Mary
	Mr AU See-hin, Selwyn Hason
	Mr HUI Shiu-keung, Peter
	Ms CHOW Yin-chu, Merinda
	Mr LEE Ka-chai, Lambert
	Mr HUI Ka-ho (up to 16.9.2012)
	Mr WONG Kin-tong, Jack (up to 16.9.2012)
	Ms WOO Huey-fang, Bernadette
	Ms LO Kit-yee, Katherine (up to 16.9.2012)
	Mr WONG Yu-wing, Symon
	Ms CHAN Ling-ling, Tracy
	Mr CHAN Kam-cheong, Rickie
	Mr TAM Kwok-wah
	Mr CHAN Jong-herng, Johnny (up to 16.9.2012)
	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 (up to 16.9.2012)
	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
	Mr LI Chi-ho (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Ms WONG Susan (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Ms LAU Yee-wan, Winnie (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Mr TANG Siu-hung, Daniel (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Mr CHEUNG Chi-wai, David (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Mr CHENG Lim-chi (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Ms LAM Mei-sze, Michelle (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Mr CHUM Yau-fong, David (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Mr SHUM Kei-leong, Timon (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Mr KO Wai-hung (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Miss HO Wai-yang (w.e.f. 17.9.2012)
	Ms CHEUNG Kit-yee (w.e.f. 13.11.2012)
	Ms CHEUNG Tin-ngan, June (w.e.f. 13.11.2012)
-	Special Magistrates
	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
	Mr SO Kai-cheung (w.e.f. 14.5.2012)
	Miss HO Lai-ming (w.e.f. 14.5.2012)
	Miss LAU Suk-han (w.e.f. 14.5.2012)
	Mr LI Chi-ho (from 14.5.2012 to 16.9.2012)
	Ms LEUNG Ka-kie (w.e.f. 14.5.2012)

*	Left service in 2012
#	Retired in 2012

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Court of Final Appeal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL

	Caseload			Disposal*
	2010	2011	2012	2010	2011	2012
Applications for leave to appeal
- Criminal	101	76	67	89 (55)	73 (49)	57 (35)
- Civil	47	46	46	41 (30)	49 (20)	47 (13)
Total	148	122	113	130	122	104
Substantive appeals
- Criminal	14	12	14	13	12	13
- Civil	17	21	27	13	23	15
Total	31	33	41	26	35	28
Miscellaneous proceedings	2	0	0	3	0	0

*	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

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL

	Average Waiting Time (days)
	Target	2010	2011	2012
Applications for leave to appeal
From notice of hearing to hearing
-Criminal	45	42	38	40
-Civil	35	33	30	29
Substantive appeals
From notice of hearing to hearing
-Criminal	100	101	95	93
-Civil	120	97	102	105

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

High Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE HIGH COURT

		Caseload			Disposal *
		2010	2011	2012	2010	2011	2012
Court of Appeal
Appellate
-	Criminal
	Appeals from the Court of First Instance	128	162	162	142	114	185
	Appeals from the District Court	356	383	357	366	345	397
	Sub-total	484	545	519	508	459	582
-	Civil
	Appeals from the Court of First Instance	222	230	239	192	166	201
	Appeals from the District Court	28	30	19	35	29	17
	Miscellaneous Appeals	34	31	25	48	25	35
	Sub-total	284	291	283	275	220	253
Review of Sentences
-	Criminal
	Reviews from the Court of First Instance	2	2	1	0	3	2
	Reviews from the District Court	11	7	4	7	4	10
	Reviews from the Magistrates' Courts	1	2	2	0	1	2
	Sub-total	14	11	7	7	8	14
	Total	782	847	809	790	687	849

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

		Caseload			Disposal *
		2010	2011	2012	2010	2011	2012
Court of First Instance
Appellate
-	Criminal
	Appeals from Magistrates' Courts	980	897	862	994	877	983
-	Civil
	Appeals from Labour Tribunal	26	33	29	21	29	24
	Appeals from Small Claims Tribunal	51	38	70	40	37	58
	Appeals from Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board	17	6	6	14	8	7
	Miscellaneous Appeals	4	2	0	4	5	2
	Sub-total	98	79	105	79	79	91
	Total	1 078	976	967	1 073	956	1 074

First Instance
-	Criminal Jurisdiction
	Criminal Cases	444	482	486	419	464	446
	Confidential Miscellaneous Proceedings	96	100	158	96	100	158
	Application for Discharge	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Sub-total	540	582	644	515	564	604
-	Civil Jurisdiction
	High Court Actions	1 907	2 237	2 415	1 492	1 475	1 495
	Miscellaneous Proceedings	2 626	2 700	2 905	1 795	1 984	2 140
	Bankruptcy & Companies Winding-up+	10 680	9 464	10 132	11 062	9 421	9 610
	Personal Injuries Actions	706	941	1 006	865	691	770
	Other cases ^#	564	545	649	324	265	282
	Sub-total	16 483	15 887	17 107	15 538	13 836	14 297
	Total	17 023	16 469	17 751	16 053	14 400	14 901

-	Masters Chambers
	Interlocutory hearings^**	21 701	20 405	22 137	20 881	18 506	19 706
	Taxation bills	669	678	581	502⁽¹⁾	561⁽¹⁾	462⁽¹⁾
-	Probate
	Applications	14 350	16 319	16 308	13 909⁽²⁾	14 525⁽²⁾	16 935⁽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
+	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

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE HIGH COURT

		Average Waiting Time (days)
		Target	2010	2011	2012
Court of Appeal
-	Criminal - from setting down of a case to hearing	50	50	53	52
-	Civil - from application to fix date to hearing	90	89	117	131
Court of First Instance
-	Criminal Fixture List - from filing of indictment to hearing	120	166	169	180
-	Criminal Running List - from setting down of a case to hearing	90	81	79	72
-	Civil Fixture List - from application to fix date to hearing	180	215	231	244
-	Civil Running List - from setting down of a case to hearing	90	60	83	50
-	Appeals from Magistrates' Courts - from lodging of Notice of Appeal to hearing	90	95	86	92

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

District Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE DISTRICT COURT

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2010	2011	2012	2010	2011	2012
-	Criminal Jurisdiction
	Criminal Cases	1 404	1 396	1 207	1 375	1 436	1 272
-	Civil Jurisdiction
	Civil	4 570	4 994	4 517	3 427	3 715	3 591
	Tax Claim	6 506	5 169	4 143	6 011	4 773	3 692
	Distress for Rent	4 933	4 424	3 857	5 016	4 513	3 945
	Employee's Compensation	1 606	2 011	2 289	1 324	1 563	1 918
	Other civil cases ⁺	5 645	5 796	6 041	4 534	4 388	4 969
	Sub-total	23 260	22 394	20 847	20 312	18 952	18 115
-	Family Jurisdiction
	Matrimonial Causes	17 359	18 374	19 164	15 266	15 933	17 272
	Joint Applications	3 490	4 169	4 091	2 901	3 664	3 853
	Miscellaneous Proceedings	270	317	298	169	244	270
	Adoption Applications	99	129	121	98	92	122
	Sub-total	21 218	22 989	23 674	18 434⁽¹⁾	19 933⁽¹⁾	21 517⁽¹⁾
	Total (Civil)	44 478	45 383	44 521	38 746	38 885	39 632
	Total	45 882	46 779	45 728	40 121	40 321	40 904

-	Masters Chambers
	Interlocutory hearings^**	7 828	7 631	7 530	7 637	6 786	6 432
-	Taxation bills
	Divorce	2 747	2 189	1 994	2 554	2 077	1 898
	Others	502	458	426	425	315	331
	Sub-total	3 249	2 647	2 420	2 979⁽²⁾	2 392⁽²⁾	2 229⁽²⁾
	Total	11 077	10 278	9 950	10 616	9 178	8 661

*	Case disposal refers to those where defendants have been convicted or acquitted and those where claims have been successfully made or dismissed
+	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

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE DISTRICT COURT

		Average Waiting Time (days)
		Target	2010	2011	2012
Criminal - from first appearance of defendants in District Court to hearing		100	128	86	62
Civil - from date of listing to hearing		120	80	72	96
Dissolution of marriage - from setting down of a case to hearing
-	Special Procedure List	35	32	33	33
-	Defended List (one day hearing)	110	128	107	98
-	Financial applications - from filing of summons to hearing	110-140	88	90	83

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Magistrates' Courts

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

		Caseload			Disposal *
		2010	2011	2012	2010	2011	2012
-	Charge Cases	37 896	35 243	34 360	38 270	34 843	34 322
-	Hawker Cases	10 911	10 192	9 396	10 915	10 197	9 386
-	Departmental & Private Summonses	189 696	185 102	192 566	184 208	184 862	189 123
-	Driving-Offence Points Summonses	2 609	1 968	1 966	3 496	2 155	2 033
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Traffic)	905	612	742	924	719	701
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Public Cleanliness Offences)	451	319	244	475	343	248
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Smoking Offences)	89	76	49	77	78	58
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Vehicle Idling)^@	-	0	0	-	0	0
-	Fixed Penalty Summonses (Mandatory Window Inspection)^{^}	-	-	0	-	-	0
-	Miscellaneous Proceedings	11 932	10 718	11 138	11 965	10 877	11 793
-	Departmental Notice	653	824	789	662	846	796
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Traffic)	59 387	58 281	68 028	60 355	58 995	68 845
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Public Cleanliness Offences)	3 003	2 622	2 643	3 066	2 753	2 609
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Smoking Offences)	1 019	1 009	997	965	1 041	1 016
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Vehicle Idling)^@	-	0	0	-	0	0
-	Fixed Penalty Notice (Mandatory Window Inspection)^{^}	-	-	0	-	-	0
	Total	318 551	306 966	322 918	315 378	307 709	320 930

*	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 Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Ordinance, Cap. 611 came into effect on 15.12.2011
^{^}	New case types pursuant to Section 30(C) of the Building Ordinance, Cap. 123 came into effect on 30.6.2012

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

		Average Waiting Time (days)
		Target	2010	2011	2012
Summonses - from plea to date of trial		50	50	54	54
Charge Cases - from plea to date of trial
-	For defendants in custody	30-45	37	38	41
-	For defendants on bail	45-60	51	51	51

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Lands Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2010	2011	2012	2010	2011	2012
-	Appeal cases	335	239	281	110	66	103
-	Compensation cases	12	15	14	20	11	15
-	Building management cases	340	407	367	315	333	292
-	Tenancy cases	4 592	4 457	4 429	3 623	3 635	3 461
-	Lands compulsory sale applications	21	48	60	11	29	33
-	Miscellaneous proceedings applications	10	4	5	10	4	5
	Total	5 310	5 170	5 156	4 089	4 078	3 909

*	Case disposal refers to appeals which have been allowed or dismissed and trials or hearings which have been concluded

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE LANDS TRIBUNAL

		Average Waiting Time (days)
		Target	2010	2011	2012
From setting down of a case to hearing
-	Appeal cases	100	37	32	20
-	Compensation cases	100	42	46	41
-	Building management cases	100	30	35	25
-	Tenancy cases	60	27	26	21

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Labour Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2010	2011	2012	2010	2011	2012
-	Claims	4 670	4 190	4 744	4 678	4 002	4 245
-	Reviews	79	63	64	79	62	66
-	Restore claims	70	67	54	77	61	60
-	Set-aside awards	113	84	80	121	87	80
	Total	4 932	4 404	4 942	4 955	4 212	4 451

*	Case disposal refers to claims which have been concluded, including claims awarded, dismissed, settled, withdrawn and transferred

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL

		Average Waiting Time (days)
		Target	2010	2011	2012
-	From appointment to filing of a case	30	22	21	25
-	From filing of a case to first hearing	30	24	25	25

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Small Claims Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2010	2011	2012	2010	2011	2012
-	Claims	57 837	50 962	48 201	50 702	51 097	49 094
-	Reviews	202	219	227	189	186	211
	Total	58 039	51 181	48 428	50 891	51 283	49 305

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

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL

		Average Waiting Time (days)
		Target	2010	2011	2012
-	From filing of a case to first hearing	60	35	38	39

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Obscene Articles Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2010	2011	2012	2010	2011	2012
-	Articles for determination	37 677	27 159	60 313	36 191	28 645	59 146
-	Articles for classification	671	737	306	671	733	311
-	Articles for review	2	6	1	2	6	0
-	Articles for reconsideration	0	1	0	0	1	0
	Total	38 350	27 903	60 620	36 864	29 385	59 457

*	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 has been reviewed or reconsidered

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL

		Average Waiting Time (days)
		Target	2010	2011	2012
-	From referral by a magistrate to determination	21	20	21	21
-	From receipt of application to classification	5	3	3	2
-	From receipt of application to review	35	26	23	24
-	From receipt of application to reconsideration	35	- *	24	-*


	*		As there is no application for reconsideration filed, the waiting time is inapplicable

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Coroner's Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE CORONER'S COURT

		Caseload			Disposal*
		2010	2011	2012	2010	2011	2012
-	Death inquests with jury	148	144	147	131	149	138
-	Death inquests without jury	42	33	31	41	33	26
	Total	190	177	178	172	182	164

*	Case disposal refers to death inquests concluded

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE CORONER'S COURT

		Average Waiting Time (days)
		Target	2010	2011	2012
-	From date of listing to hearing	42	39	40	42

Membership List of
the Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee

-	Chairman	Chief Judge, High Court
-	Members	The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, JA Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Anselmo F T REYES Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court (up to 1.4.2012)
		The Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court (up to 1.4.2012)
		The Hon Mr Justice H C AU Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court (w.e.f. 2.4.2012)
		The Hon Mr Justice Mohan T BHARWANEY Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court (w.e.f. 2.4.2012)
		Registrar, High Court
		Chief District Judge
		District Court Master Simon LUI
		Registrar, District Court
		Mr Herbert LI Department of Justice
		Mr Thomas Edward KWONG Legal Aid Department
		Mr Kumar RAMANATHAN, SC Hong Kong Bar Association
		Mr LAI Ting-hong, Alex Law Society of Hong Kong (up to 1.4.2012)
		Mr Brian GILCHRIST Law Society of Hong Kong (w.e.f. 2.4.2012)
		Mr CHAN Bing-woon, SBS, JP
		Miss Emma LAU Judiciary Administrator
-	In Attendance	Mr NG Sek-hon Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
-	Secretary	Ms Clara TANG Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development) (up to 2.1.2012)
		Ms Wendy CHEUNG Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development) (w.e.f. 3.1.2012)

Membership List of the Working Party on Mediation

-	Chairman	The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, JA Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
-	Members	The Hon Mr Justice Anselmo F T REYES Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court (up to 15.9.2012)
		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
		Deputy High Court Judge Bebe CHU
		Registrar, High Court
		His Honour Judge S T POON Chief District Judge
		Mr Simon LEE Department of Justice
		Mr Thomas Edward KWONG Legal Aid Department
		Mr Rimsky YUEN, SC Hong Kong Bar Association (up to 30.6.2012)
		Mr Frederick CHAN Hong Kong Bar Association (w.e.f. 20.7.2012)
		Mr Victor DAWES Hong Kong Bar Association
		Mr Norris YANG Law Society of Hong Kong
		Mrs Cecilia WONG Law Society of Hong Kong
		Mr CHAN Bing-woon, SBS, JP
		Mr Gary SOO
		Ms Sylvia SIU, JP
		Mr John BUDGE, SBS, JP
-	In Attendance	Mr Esmond LEE Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)
		Ms April LAM Senior Mediation Affairs Officer
-	Secretary	Ms Joyce LEUNG Senior Judiciary Executive (Development)2 (up to 2.9.2012)
		Ms April LEUNG Senior Judiciary Executive (Development)2 (w.e.f. 3.9.2012)

Membership List of the Court Users' Committees

Civil Court Users' Committee

-	Chairman	The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG, SBS, V-P Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court (up to 24.10.2012)
		The Hon Madam Justice Maria C YUEN, JA Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court (w.e.f. 25.10.2012)
-	Members	The Hon Madam Justice Maria C YUEN, JA Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court (up to 24.10.2012)
		The Hon Madam Justice Carlye CHU, JA Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, JA Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice S C POON Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court (w.e.f. 9.10.2012)
		Mr LUNG Kim-wan Temporary Registrar, High Court
		His Honour Judge S T POON Chief District Judge
		Miss Joyce CHAN Department of Justice
		Mr Thomas Edward KWONG Legal Aid Department
		Mr Alan FONG Official Receiver's Office
		Mr Paul SHIEH, SC
		Mr Thomas SO
		Mr Bernard HUI
-	In Attendance	Mr NG Sek-hon Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
		Mr Roger LAW Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judge)2
-	Secretary	Ms Betty CHAN Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)

Criminal Court Users' Committee

-	Chairman	The Hon Mr Justice Louis TONG Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
-	Members	The Hon Mr Justice Michael V LUNN, JA Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court (up to 25.3.2012)
		The Hon Mrs Justice Judianna W L BARNES Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Andrew C MACRAE Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
		The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHAN Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court (w.e.f. 26.3.2012)
		Mr LUNG Kim-wan Temporary Registrar, High Court
		His Honour Judge S T POON Chief District Judge
		Mr TONG Man Chief Magistrate
		Mr LEE Wan-tang, Alex Department of Justice
		Mr CHAN Wing-cho, Allan Legal Aid Department
		Ms Grace WONG The Duty Lawyer Service
		Mr YAU Shu-chun, Ricky Independent Commission Against Corruption
		Mr Steven A CARRUTHERS Hong Kong Police Force
		Mr LAM Kwok-leung Correctional Services Department
		Mr WONG Man-kit, SC
		Mr Stephen HUNG
		Mr HO Yat-wan, Alec
-	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 (up to 9.9.2012))
		His Honour Judge Bruno CHAN Acting Principal Family Court Judge (w.e.f. 10.9.2012)
-	Members	His Honour Judge S T POON Chief District Judge
		His Honour Judge Bruno CHAN Family Court Judge (up to 9.9.2012)
		Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY Family Court Judge
		His Honour Judge C K CHAN Family Court Judge
		Ms Doris LUI Legal Aid Department
		Ms Caran WONG Social Welfare Department (up to 6.8.2012)
		Mr FUNG Man-chung Social Welfare Department (w.e.f. 7.8.2012)
		Ms Jacqueline LEONG, SC
		Ms Corinne REMEDIOS
		Ms KONG Yuen-Hoong (up to 30.11.2012)
		Mr Jonathan MOK (w.e.f. 1.12.2012)
		Mr Dennis HO
		Mr Robin EGERTON (up to 30.11.2012)
		Ms Jain BROWN (w.e.f. 1.12.2012)
-	In Attendance	Mr NG Sek-hon Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
		Ms Jackie LUI 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 Frank STOCK, 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 Michael V LUNN, 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 (up to 4.4.2012)
		Mr LUNG Kim-wan Temporary Registrar, High Court
		His Honour Judge S T POON 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	Chief Systems Manager (Information Systems Strategy Study) [up to 13.9.2012]
(b)	Project Management Office	Ms Catherine LEE	Chief Systems Manager (Project Management Office) [w.e.f. 14.9.2012]
(c)	Operations Division	Ms Betty CHAN	Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)
(d)	Support to Judges Section	Ms Frieda LEUNG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)1
		Mr Roger LAW	Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2
(e)	Clerk of Court's Office	Mrs Pamela PANG	Clerk of Court
(f)	Court of Final Appeal Registry	Mr Jackson CHAN	Senior Judicial Clerk I (Court of Final Appeal)
(g)	High Court Registry	Mr M K LAM	Chief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry) [up to 31.1.2012]
		Mr Kenneth LIU	Chief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry) [w.e.f. 1.2.2012]
(h)	District Court	Mr Barry LEE	Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Registry, District Court)
		Mrs Flora CHUNG	Chief Judicial Clerk (Courts, District Court)
(i)	Family Court Registry	Mr Kenneth LIU	Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court) [up to 31.1.2012]
		Ms Jackie LUI	Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court) [w.e.f. 1.2.2012]
(j)	Lands Tribunal Registry	Ms Evelyn CHEUNG	Chief Judicial Clerk (Lands Tribunal)
(k)	Magistrates' Courts General Office	Mr James WONG	Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies)
(l)	Probate Registry	Ms Rebecca LO	Acting Chief Probate Officer [up to 31.1.2012]
		Mr M K LAM	Chief Probate Officer [w.e.f. 1.2.2012]
(m)	Labour Tribunal Registry	Mr W M WONG	Acting Registrar (Labour Tribunal)
(n)	Small Claims Tribunal Registry	Ms Peggy CHAN	Chief Judicial Clerk ( Small Claims Tribunal )
(o)	Court Language Section	Ms Celina WONG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)
		Ms Patience IP	Acting Chief Court Interpreter
(p)	Bailiff Section	Mr Sunny KWAN	Chief Bailiff (Administration and Admiralty)
		Mr T M CHOI	Chief Bailiff (Operations)
(q)	Mediation Information Office	Ms April LAM	Senior Mediation Affairs Officer
(r)	Family Mediation Coordinator's Office	Mrs P F MAK	Mediation Coordinator (Family)
(s)	Building Management Mediation Coordinator's Office	Ms S F CHAN	Mediation Coordinator (Building Management)
(t)	Information Systems Strategy Study Support Team	Ms Gloria POON	Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Systems Strategy Study)1 [up to 13.9.2012]
		Ms Catherine LI	Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Systems Strategy Study)2 [up to 13.9.2012]
(u)	Project Management Office	Ms Gloria POON	Senior Judiciary Executive (Project Management Office)1 [w.e.f. 14.9.2012]
		Ms Catherine LI	Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Project Management Office)2 [w.e.f. 14.9.2012]

Development Division

Mr Esmond LEE, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)

(a)	Development Office	Ms Clara TANG	Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development) [up to 2.1.2012]
		Ms Wendy CHEUNG	Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development) [w.e.f. 3.1.2012]
(b)	Press & Public Relations Office	Ms Florence WONG	Acting Principal Information Officer

Quality Division

Mr Stanley TO, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality)

(a)	Complaints Office	Mr Jerry IU	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) [up to 2.9.2012]
		Mr Jeffrey FUNG	Chief Judiciary Executive (Information Technology) [w.e.f. 3.9.2012]
(d)	Legal Reference and Library Section	Ms Miranda FUNG	Senior Judiciary Executive (Legal Reference and Library)
(e)	Management Information Section	Ms Memory WONG	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) [up to 1.5.2012]
		Ms Cindy LEE	Chief Judiciary Executive (Finance) [w.e.f. 2.5.2012]
(c)	Judges and Judicial Officers Section	Ms Charling LI	Chief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers)
(d)	Support Staff Section	Ms Mabel CHENG	Senior Judiciary Executive (Human Resources)^Note
		Ms Susanne KWAN	Senior Judiciary Executive (Support Staff)^Note
		Ms Jovy WONG	Senior Judiciary Executive (Administration)^Note
		Ms Y C MAK	Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Staff) [w.e.f. 12.3.2012]
(e)	West Kowloon Law Courts Building Integrated Team	Mr Sonny CHING	Senior Architect


Note:	Temporarily sharing the duties of Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Staff) up to 11.3.2012.

Judicial Education

In 2011, the Chairman of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB) visited New South Wales, Victoria and the United Kingdom as part of his review of judicial education in Hong Kong. Towards the end of the year the Executive Committee of the JSB submitted a report to the Chief Justice with recommendations for reform. Amongst the key recommendations were the establishment of a fully staffed permanent body wholly dedicated to the provision of continuing judicial education, including seminars and workshops on court craft, induction courses, judgment writing courses, publications, alert notices and the provision - as at present - of Bench Books. The key recommendations have in principle been accepted and concrete progress for their implementation is expected in 2013.

Training Activities Organised by the Judicial Studies Board

Date	Activity
6.2.2012	Lunch-time Talk entitled "Of Pundits, Jurists and Judges: A Common Law Judge Reflects on the French Experience of Hindu Law in Early 19th Century Pondicherry" by the Hon Mr Justice Anselmo F T REYES, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
26 - 28.6.2012	Demonstration of Sentencing Database of New South Wales
27.6.2012	Talk entitled "The Rule of Law: The Role of the Judge and Bar" by the Hon Mr Justice John Barry MORTIMER, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
20.10.2012	Visit to the Correctional Services Department Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre
2.11.2012 - 18.1.2013	Course on Chinese Judgment Writing run by the University of Hong Kong

Training Activities Organised by Other Institutions

Date	Activity
15.1.2012	Sentence Conference 2012 entitled "A New Sentencing Regime for Hong Kong?", organised by the Department of Justice
25 - 31.1.2012	Hague Child Abduction Convention: Sixth meeting of the Special Commission (Part II) in Hague, the Netherlands, organised by Hague Permanent Bureau
13.3.2012	Seminar entitled "Defamation on the Net: Anonymity, Meaning, and ISPs", organised by the University of Hong Kong
26.3.2012	Common Law Lecture by the Hon Mr Justice S K S BOKHARY, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal - "Constitutions: Ours and Others", organised by the University of Hong Kong
11 - 12.5.2012	"Mediate First" Conference, jointly organised by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Hong Kong Mediation Council and the Department of Justice
7.6.2012	Talk by Martin POINTER, QC, England & Wales, entitled "The Future of Maintenance", organised by Hong Kong Bar Association
3.7.2012	Talk by the Rt Hon the Lord COLLINS of Mapesbury, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, entitled "Solicitor Advocates and Solicitor Judges: The View from the UK Supreme Court", organised by Hong Kong Academy of Law
27 - 28.8.2012	The Second Children's Issues Forum, jointly organised by the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Family Law Association, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Law Society of Hong Kong and Chinese University of Hong Kong
13 - 14.9.2012	The Sixth AIJA Appellate Judges' Conference in Brisbane, Australia, organised by Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration Incorporated
18.9.2012	Talk entitled "The Hague Conference on Private International Law on the Move: How the Organisation and its Conventions Continue to Grow from Strength to Strength", organised by the Department of Justice
12.10.2012	Talk by Michael BARNES, QC, England & Wales, entitled "Some Legal Aspects of Land Valuation", organised by Hong Kong Bar Association
9.11.2012	Talk by Clare MONTGOMERY, QC, England & Wales, entitled "Appellate Advocacy", organised by Hong Kong Bar Association
17.11.2012	Criminal Law Conference 2012 "Reforming the Criminal Justice System of Hong Kong", organised by the Department of Justice
23 - 24 & 26 - 28.11.2012	CEDR Mediator Skills Course, organised by Hong Kong Bar Association
27.11.2012	Talk by Gilead COOPER, QC, England & Wales, entitled "Turkey Twizzlers, Forced Heirs, and Mistresses", organised by Hong Kong Bar Association
1.12.2012	Civil Justice Reform Training Joint General Seminar: "CJR Update", jointly organised by Hong Kong Bar Association and Hong Kong Academy of Law

Number of Visits and Visitors to the Judiciary

	2011	2012
Local
No. of visits	214	221
No. of visitors	6 548	6 847
The Mainland
No. of visits	59	57
No. of visitors	1 489	1 538
Overseas
No. of visits	18	25
No. of visitors	199	301
Total
No. of visits	291	303
No. of visitors	8 236	8 686

	Number of Visitors
Category of Visitors	2011	2012
Judges and legal profession	304	471
Government officials	997	1 008
Students and others	6 935	7 207
Total	8 236	8 686

Expenditure and Revenue of the Judiciary in 2011-2012

Recurrent Expenditure

		2011-2012 ($' 000)
-	Personal Emoluments	790,418
-	Departmental Expenses	235,925
-	Other Charges	7,585
	Total	1,033,928

Revenue*

		2011-2012 ($' 000)
-	Fees & Charges	174,909
-	Fines	216,009
-	Forfeitures & Others	1,671,032
	Total	2,061,950

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

Complaints against Judges and Judicial Officers

	Nature of Complaints	2012
(1)	Complaints against judicial decisions	74
(2)	Complaints against judicial conduct	31
(3)	Complaints against both the judicial decisions and the judicial conduct	21
	Total	126

Note
(a)	Item (2) includes complaints concerning the handling of complaints by court leaders.
(b)	The total number of cases disposed of by Judges and Judicial Officers in 2012 is 524,905.

Complaints against the Judiciary Administration

	Nature of Complaints	2012*
-	Complaints about procedures	26
-	Complaints about facilities	14
-	Complaints about the judicial support services	32
-	Complaints against staff of the Judiciary Administration	70
	Total	142

*	Oral complaints included