This Report provides an overview of the major events of the Judiciary during 2013. It also provides statistics on caseload and waiting time for various levels of court, and information about the operation of the Judiciary. I would, in particular, like to draw attention to the following –
 
Appointment of Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
 
The Hon Mr Justice Joseph FOK was appointed a Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal in October. Mr Justice FOK is a judge of eminent standing and reputation.
 
Civil Justice Reform (CJR)
 
The implementation of the CJR for the fourth year continues to be smooth and satisfactory on the whole. A longer time is required to assess the full impact, benefit and effectiveness of the CJR and the Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee will continue to monitor the working of the reformed civil justice system.
 
Relocation of the Court of Final Appeal
 
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. Works began last July and are expected to be completed in the first part of 2015. We look forward to relocating the Court of Final Appeal to its new premises in the second half of 2015.
 
 
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 2013

 
Following tradition, the year began with the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year on 14 January, at which the Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA spoke about the integrity of the law, which is the foundation of the operation of the law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He explained the constitutional role of judges to administer justice in accordance with the law. Crucial to the resolution of court cases was the transparency in the judicial process, as demonstrated in the fact that save for limited exceptions, all court proceedings are open to the public, and in the established practice of providing reasons for judicial decisions. He also spoke about the independence of the Judiciary, which underpinned the integrity of the law, as well as about the significant contribution from eminent judges from overseas common law jurisdictions who sit on the Court of Final Appeal.
 
Exchanges with other Jurisdictions
 
In 2013, 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 15th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific held in Singapore in October, among events in Auckland, London, Hsinchu (Taiwan) and Zurich. He also called on the President of the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China in July.
 
Appointment of Judges and Judicial Officers
 
Many judicial appointments were made in the year 2013. Most notable were the appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Joseph FOK as a Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, the appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Patrick CHAN, the Hon James SPIGELMAN and the Hon William GUMMOW as Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal, the appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM as a Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, the appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Andrew MACRAE as a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, and the appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM, the Hon Mr Justice Peter NG, the Hon Mr Justice Kevin ZERVOS, and the Hon Madam Justice Anthea PANG 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 caseload and numbers of 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 was the temporary constraints in the deployment of judicial manpower in the High Court. The Judiciary has completed an establishment review. The review finds that additional resources are needed for the creation of additional judicial (and support staff) posts for the Court of Appeal to enable it to cope with the increased workload. The review also finds that additional resources are needed for the creation of additional judicial posts at various levels of court for covering the absence of Judges and Judicial Officers for attending training and dealing with judicial education matters. The Judiciary has conveyed its resource requirements to the Administration, in accordance with the budgetary arrangements agreed between the Judiciary and the Administration in 2005.
 
Membership of Boards and Committees
 
The Chief Justice appointed Judges and Judicial Officers and invited representatives from the legal profession and relevant government departments and some lay members 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, the Governing Body of the Hong Kong Judicial Institute.
 
Visits and Visitors to the Judiciary
 
In 2013, the Judiciary arranged about 280 visits for more than 8400 visitors. Among all, most visitors are local students. We treasure all opportunities to meet with visitors and introduce to them different aspects of the operation of the Judiciary.
 
 
You are cordially invited to visit our Photo Gallery for various memorable moments of the Judiciary in 2013.
 


Highlights of Events in 2013

January
1Mr CHOW Ka-ming, Anderson, SC was re-appointed Recorder of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
7Mr LEE Wan-tang, Mr CHAN Ka-shun, Wilson, Dr LEONG Kwok-on, Harold and Mr YEE Kai-siu, Kent were appointed District Judges

Miss WONG Sze-lai was appointed Magistrate

7The Hon Robert Shenton FRENCH AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, visited the Judiciary
11Mr LAM Wan-ho, Godfrey, SC was appointed Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
11A 14-member delegation of the Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Republic of Korea visited the Judiciary
12The term of office of the Rt Hon the Lord HOFFMANN, Non-Permanent Judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal, was extended for a period of three years
14The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA declared opening of the 2013 Legal Year
25A 16-member delegation from the China University of Political Science and Law visited the Judiciary
February
1Mr NG Kar-fai, Peter, SC was appointed Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
18A six-member delegation led by the Lord WEI, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for East Asian Business of the United Kingdom, visited the Judiciary
March
1Mr POW Wing-nin, Jason, SC; Ms WONG Kwok-ying, Lisa, SC; Mr COLEMAN Russell Adam, SC; and Mr HOUGHTON Anthony Kenneth, SC were appointed Recorders of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
4-5Deputy High Court Judge Anthea PANG, Deputy Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Training for Commonwealth Judges – Crown Court Trial Seminar in Coventry, the United Kingdom
7-9The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA gave a talk on the topic of “Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China: the Continuity of the Common Law Tradition” at the 19th Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration Oration in Judicial Administration in Auckland, New Zealand; participated in the Asia Pacific Courts Conference 2013 in Auckland; spoke at two lunch-time talks entitled “The Practical Application of the Law in Hong Kong: Practices and the Courts” organised by the New Zealand Law Society and “The Future of the Common Law in Hong Kong” at the University of Auckland; and met with his counterparts including the Chief Justice of New Zealand and President of Court of Appeal of New Zealand
April
12Ms Bina CHAINRAI, Mr Timothy Harry CASEWELL, Mr LAW Tak-chuen, Peter, Ms WOO Huey-fang, Bernadette, Mr LEE Hing-nin, Clement and Mr LUI Kin-man, Simon were appointed Principal Magistrates
16An eight-member delegation led by Attorney-General of Singapore Steven CHONG, SC, visited the Judiciary
27The Hon Mr Justice Wally YEUNG, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, delivered a talk at the School of Law of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou
May
15The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered a talk entitled “Common Law and its Tradition in Hong Kong” at the National University of Singapore
15-17The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA; the Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG, Chief Judge of the High Court; the Hon Mr Justice BHARWANEY and the Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM, Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Fourth Judicial Seminar on Commercial Litigation 2013 in Singapore. His Honour Judge Herbert AU-YEUNG, District Judge, visited the courts of Singapore and met with the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Singapore
16A 30-member delegation of judges attending the 7th Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges at the Law School of the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary
18-22The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the INSOL Tenth Multinational Judicial Colloquium on Insolvency and the Ninth Quadrennial Congress of INSOL International in the Hague, the Netherlands
20A 10-member delegation of the Judicial Reform Steering Group of the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
23The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered a talk entitled “Courage and the Law: Upholding the Dignity of the Individual” at the University of Zurich, Switzerland
24-25Mr LIN Kam-hung, Ernest Michael, Principle Magistrate, attended the PRC Maritime Law Seminar in Shenzhen
28Ms Li Mingrong, Deputy Chief Procurator of People's Procuratorate of Fujian Province of the People’s Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
28Mr YU Mun-kee, Roy and Mr PANG Chung-ping were appointed District Judges
June
11Mr PANG Ho-chuen, Lawrence was appointed Member of the Lands Tribunal
13An eight-member delegation led by Mr WANG Xixin, Vice Dean of the Peking University Law School, visited the Judiciary
17A 10-member delegation led by Mr Sherali RAHMANOV, Deputy Chairperson of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, visited the Judiciary
July
3-5Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY, District Judge, attended the 2nd International Family Law and Practice Conference 2013 on “Parentage, Equality and Gender” in London, the United Kingdom
8-9A group of 15 law students from Shantou University of the People’s Republic of China visited the Judiciary
8-12Mr LUI Kin-man, Simon, Temporary Registrar of the District Court, attended the Judicial Governance Programme in Singapore
16-19The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA, the Hon Mr Justice Patrick CHAN, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal and the Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG, Chief Judge of the High Court, visited Beijing to meet with officials from the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, the Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Justice, and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council
17-19The Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court and Deputy High Court Judge Bebe CHU, Deputy Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the 15th Anniversary Meeting of the International Hague Network of Judges held in London, the United Kingdom
22-24The Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court; Deputy High Court Judge Bebe CHU; Deputy High Court Judge David LOK; Deputy High Court Judge Marlene NG, Deputy Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court and His Honour Judge C K CHAN, District Judge, visited London, the United Kingdom to study the family procedure rules and modernisation of family justice
26A six-member delegation led by the Hon Bob CARR, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited the Judiciary
29The Hon James SPIGELMAN and the Hon William GUMMOW were appointed Non-Permanent Judges from other common law jurisdictions of the Court of Final Appeal
August
1The Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM was appointed President, Competition Tribunal and the Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG was appointed Deputy President, Competition Tribunal
8An 11-member delegation from the Guangdong Higher People’s Court of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
22-23The Hon Mr Justice Peter NG, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the International Commercial Law and Arbitration Conference in Sydney, Australia
22-24The Hon Madam Justice Mimmie CHAN, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, spoke at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators International Arbitration Conference 2013 in Penang, Malaysia
30Mr Justice BIRSS, Judge of the Patents County Court and Chairman of the Copyright Tribunal of the United Kingdom, visited the Judiciary
September
1The terms of office of the Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK and the Hon Mr Justice Michael J HARTMANN, Non-Permanent Hong Kong Judges of the Court of Final Appeal, were extended for a period of three years
2A six-member delegation from the Justice Departments/Bureaux of the People's Republic of China visited the Judiciary
2The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, was appointed Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
6Mr VAN LOON Hans, Former Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, delivered a talk entitled “The International Hague Network of Judges and Cross-Border Judicial Communication” at the High Court
9Ms Maura MCGOWAN QC, Chairman of the Bar of England and Wales, visited the Judiciary
11Professor William SWADLING, Director of Graduate Studies (Taught Courses), Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford, visited the Judiciary
16Mr Kevin Paul ZERVOS, SC was appointed Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
18A seven-member delegation led by Vice President JIANG Bixin, Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
23-25The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA; the Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG, Chief Judge of the High Court; The Hon Mr Justice Derek PANG, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court; His Honour Judge S T POON, Chief District Judge; and Mr LEE Hing-nin, Clement, Acting Chief Magistrate, attended the Second Seminar of Senior Judges of Cross-Strait and Hong Kong and Macao in Hsinchu (Taiwan)
25-28The Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the Global Constitutionalism Seminar 2013 held at the Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, the United States
30A 13-member delegation from the Court of Appeal, Region 9 of Thailand visited the Judiciary
October
16The Hon Mr Justice Wally YEUNG, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, delivered a talk at the National Judges College in Beijing
16A 24-member delegation of judges attending the third Doctor of Juridical Science (Chinese Judges) Programme of the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary
21Ms Yoshimi OHARA of Japan Association of Arbitrators visited the Judiciary
21The Hon Mr Justice Joseph P FOK was appointed Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal

The Hon Mr Justice Patrick CHAN was appointed Non-Permanent Hong Kong Judge of the Court of Final Appeal

The Hon Mr Justice Andrew C MACRAE was appointed Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court

21-24Ms CHEUNG Tin-ngan, June, Magistrate, attended the Asia Pacific Coroners Society Conference in Darwin, Australia
22A seven-member delegation led by Justice LUO Dongchuan, Chief Judge and the President of the Fourth Civil Division, the Supreme People’s Court of the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
22-24A 10-member delegation led by WANG Shaonan, Director General of the Department of Judicial Administration and Equipment Management of the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China, visited the Judiciary
22-24The Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM and the Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG, Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, and Mr HUI Ka-ho, Temporary Deputy Registrar of the High Court, attended the Competition Law Workshop for Asia-Pacific Judges in Gyeongju, Korea
23A nine-member delegation led by Her Honour Justice Mata TUATAGALOA of the District Court of Samoa visited the Judiciary
25The Hon Sir Anthony MASON, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, delivered a talk entitled “Sitting as Non-Permanent Judge in the Court of Final Appeal for the Past 16 Years” at the High Court
25Mr Duncan BAGSHAW, Registrar of LCIA-MIAC Arbitration Centre of the Republic of Mauritius, visited the Judiciary
27-30The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA attended the 15th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific in Singapore
31A 45-member delegation from the Hong Kong Federation of Women Lawyers visited the Judiciary
November
11-13The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA participated in the “Justice after Jackson” Conference in London; delivered talks at events organised by the University of Oxford and The Hong Kong Association respectively
15Her Honour Judge Anthea PANG was appointed Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
25Dr Richard CORNES of Essex University in the United Kingdom visited the Judiciary
26Mr Vincent PIKET, Head of European Union Office to Hong Kong & Macao, visited the Judiciary
December
3Members of the Legislative Council Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services visited the Judiciary
4Professor WANG Zhenmin, Dean of School of Law of Tsinghua University, visited the Judiciary
4-12The Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM and the Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG, Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, and Mr HUI Ka-ho, Temporary Deputy Registrar of the High Court, visited Brussels, Luxembourg and London to meet with relevant organisations specialised in competition law and competition-related procedural rules and litigation matters
9The Rt Hon the Lord PHILLIPS of Worth Matravers, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, delivered a talk entitled "Judges must not only be independent but must be seen to be independent - the birth of the UK Supreme Court" at the High Court
20An 11-member delegation from the Guangdong Higher People's Court 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 Patrick CHAN, GBM #
 The Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO 
 The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG, SBS  
 The Hon Mr Justice Joseph P FOK  (w.e.f. 21.10.2013)
-Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal
 The Hon Mr Justice John Barry MORTIMER, GBS 
 The Hon Mr Justice Henry Denis LITTON, GBM 
 The Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK 
 The Hon Mr Justice Michael J HARTMANN, GBS 
 The Hon Mr Justice S K S BOKHARY, GBM  
 The Hon Mr Justice Patrick CHAN, GBM  (w.e.f. 21.10.2013)
 The Hon Sir Anthony MASON, GBM  
 The Rt Hon the Lord HOFFMANN 
 The Rt Hon the Lord MILLETT 
 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 
 The Hon Mr Justice James SPIGELMAN  (w.e.f. 29.7.2013)
 The Hon Mr Justice William GUMMOW   (w.e.f. 29.7.2013)
#Retired in 2013
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 Frank STOCK, V-P  
 The Hon Mr Justice Wally YEUNG, V-P 
 The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, V-P  (w.e.f. 2.9.2013)
 The Hon Mr Justice Peter CHEUNG, JA 
 The Hon Madam Justice Maria C YUEN, JA 
 The Hon Madam Justice Susan KWAN, JA 
 The Hon Mr Justice Joseph P FOK, JA   (up to 20.10.2013)
 The Hon Madam Justice Carlye CHU, JA  
 The Hon Mr Justice Michael V LUNN, JA 
 The Hon Mr Justice Aarif T BARMA, JA 
 The Hon Mr Justice Andrew C MACRAE   (w.e.f. 21.10.2013)
-Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
 The Hon Mrs Justice Verina S BOKHARY 
 The Hon Madam Justice Clare-Marie BEESON, SBS #
 The Hon Mr Justice Azizul R SUFFIAD 
 The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHUNG 
 The Hon Mr Justice Louis TONG 
 The Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG 
 The Hon Mrs Justice Judianna W L BARNES 
 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  (up to 20.10.2013)
 The Hon Mr Justice Ian C McWALTERS  
 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  
 The Hon Mr Justice Anthony CHAN 
 The Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM  (w.e.f. 11.1.2013)
 The Hon Mr Justice Peter NG  (w.e.f. 1.2.2013)
 The Hon Mr Justice Kevin P ZERVOS  (w.e.f. 16.9.2013)
 The Hon Madam Justice Anthea PANG  (w.e.f. 15.11.2013)
-Recorders of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
 Mr FUNG Pak-tung, Patrick, BBS, SC 
 Mr HO Ambrose, SBS, SC, JP 
 Mr JAT Sew-tong, SC, JP 
 Mr SHIEH Wing-tai, Paul, SC 
 Mr CHOW Ka-ming, Anderson, SC 
 Mr POW Wing-nin, Jason, SC   (w.e.f. 1.3.2013)
 Ms WONG Kwok-ying, Lisa, SC   (w.e.f. 1.3.2013)
 Mr COLEMAN Russell Adam, SC  (w.e.f. 1.3.2013)
 Mr HOUGHTON Anthony Kenneth, SC  (w.e.f. 1.3.2013)
-Deputy Registrars, High Court
 Mr HO Chi-yin, Andy 
 Mr LUNG Kim-wan 
#Retired in 2013
District Court
-Chief District Judge
 His Honour Judge S T POON 
-Principal Family Court Judge
 Her Honour Judge Bebe CHU 
-District Judges
 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 Stephen J GEISER #
 His Honour Judge David LOK 
 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 Stanley CHAN 
 His Honour Judge C M LEUNG 
 Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY 
 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 Justin KO 
 His Honour Judge Douglas YAU 
 Her Honour Judge Anthea PANG  (up to 14.11.2013)
 His Honour Judge W K KWOK 
 His Honour Judge Josiah LAM 
 His Honour Judge Anthony KWOK 
 His Honour Judge David J DUFTON 
 His Honour Judge S M SHAM 
 Her Honour Judge Amanda J WOODCOCK 
 His Honour Judge K H HUI 
 His Honour Judge Jack WONG 
 Her Honour Judge Katherine LO 
 His Honour Judge Johnny CHAN 
 His Honour Judge Gary LAM 
 His Honour Judge Andrew LI 
 His Honour Judge Herbert AU-YEUNG 
 His Honour Judge W T LEE  (w.e.f. 7.1.2013)
 His Honour Judge Wilson CHAN  (w.e.f. 7.1.2013)
 His Honour Judge Harold LEONG   (w.e.f. 7.1.2013)
 His Honour Judge Kent YEE   (w.e.f. 7.1.2013)
 His Honour Judge Roy YU   (w.e.f. 28.5.2013)
 His Honour Judge C P PANG  (w.e.f. 28.5.2013)
#Retired in 2013
Lands Tribunal
-Member, Lands Tribunal
 Mr LO Wai-kwong 
 Mr PANG Ho-chuen, Lawrence   (w.e.f. 11.6.2013)
Magistrates' Courts and other Tribunals
-Chief Magistrate
 Mr TONG Man, BBS  #@
-Principal Magistrates
 Mr LIN Kam-hung, Ernest Michael 
 Mr MA Hon-cheung, Andrew 
 Mr CHOW Siu-wo, Anthony 
 Mr TAM Lee-cheung 
 Ms CHAINRAI Bina   (w.e.f. 12.4.2013)
 Mr CASEWELL Timothy Harry   (w.e.f. 12.4.2013)
 Mr LAW Tak-chuen, Peter   (w.e.f. 12.4.2013)
 Ms WOO Huey-fang, Bernadette   (w.e.f. 12.4.2013)
 Mr LEE Hing-nin, Clement   (w.e.f. 12.4.2013)
 Mr LUI Kin-man, Simon   (w.e.f. 12.4.2013)
-Magistrates
 Ms CHAINRAI Bina  (up to 11.4.2013)
 Mr LI Wai-chi 
 Mr CHEUNG Wai-tat, Ronald 
 Mr WAHAB Abu Bakar bin 
 Mr CHAN Pik-kiu, Michael 
 Mr YUEN Wai-ming, Anthony 
 Mr CASEWELL Timothy Harry  (up to 11.4.2013)
 Mr LAW Tak-chuen, Peter  (up to 11.4.2013)
 Mr YU Mun-kee, Roy  (up to 27.5.2013)
 Ms KOT Sin-yee, Angela 
 Mr PANG Chung-ping  (up to 27.5.2013)
 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 
 Ms WOO Huey-fang, Bernadette  (up to 11.4.2013)
 Mr WONG Yu-wing, Symon 
 Ms CHAN Ling-ling, Tracy 
 Mr CHAN Kam-cheong, Rickie 
 Mr TAM Kwok-wah 
 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  (up to 11.4.2013)
 Mr CHEANG Kei-hong 
 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  (up to 11.4.2013)
 Mr YIP Sue-pui, Lawrence 
 Mr SO Wai-tak 
 Dr CHEUNG Kwan-ming 
 Mr WAN Siu-ming, Jason 
 Miss CHUI Yee-mei, Ivy 
 Mr LI Kwok-wai 
 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 
 Miss HO Wai-yang 
 Ms CHEUNG Kit-yee 
 Ms CHEUNG Tin-ngan, June 
 Ms WONG Sze-lai   (w.e.f. 7.1.2013)
-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 
 Miss HO Lai-ming 
 Miss LAU Suk-han 
 Ms LEUNG Ka-kie 
*Left service in 2013
#Retired in 2013
@It is with great sadness that Mr TONG Man passed away on 7.11.2013


Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Court of Final Appeal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL

 CaseloadDisposal*
 201120122013201120122013
Applications for leave to appeal      
- Criminal76676373
(49)
57
(35)
77
(46)
- Civil46465049
(20)
47
(13)
50
(21)
Total122113113122104127
Substantive appeals       
- Criminal12148121313
- Civil212723231533
Total334131352846
Miscellaneous proceedings 003002
*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)
 Target201120122013
Applications for leave to appeal    
From notice of hearing to hearing    
-Criminal 45 384040
-Civil 35 302933
Substantive appeals    
From notice of hearing to hearing    
-Criminal 100 959397
-Civil 120 102105111

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

High Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE HIGH COURT

CaseloadDisposal *
 201120122013201120122013
Court of Appeal
Appellate
-Criminal
 Appeals from the Court of First Instance162162158114185168
 Appeals from the District Court383357291345397365
 Sub-total545519449459582533
-Civil
 Appeals from the Court of First Instance230239233166201195
 Appeals from the District Court301921291729
 Miscellaneous Appeals312527253518
 Sub-total291283281220253242
Review of Sentences
-Criminal
 Reviews from the Court of First Instance212322
 Reviews from the District Court7424106
 Reviews from the Magistrates' Courts220122
 Sub-total117481410
 Total847809734687849785
*Case disposal refers to appeals/reviews which have been allowed, dismissed, withdrawn, discontinued or abandoned with or without court order
CaseloadDisposal *
 201120122013201120122013
Court of First Instance
Appellate
-Criminal
 Appeals from Magistrates' Courts897862809877983840
-Civil
 Appeals from Labour Tribunal332923292422
 Appeals from Small Claims Tribunal387053375853
 Appeals from Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board662873
 Miscellaneous Appeals201520
 Sub-total7910579799178
 Total9769678889561 074918
        
First Instance
-Criminal Jurisdiction
 Criminal Cases482486571464446503
 Confidential Miscellaneous Proceedings100158326100158326
 Application for Discharge000000
 Sub-total582644897564604829
-Civil Jurisdiction
 High Court Actions2 2372 4152 6021 4751 4951 595
 Miscellaneous Proceedings2 7002 9053 4791 9842 1402 495
 Bankruptcy & Companies Winding-up+9 46410 13210 7129 4219 61010 761
 Personal Injuries Actions9411 0061 108691770911
 Other cases #545649593265282226
 Sub-total15 88717 10718 49413 83614 29715 988
 Total 16 46917 75119 39114 40014 90116 817
  
-Masters Chambers
 Interlocutory hearings**20 40522 13723 19418 50619 70621 556
 Taxation bills678581603561(1)462(1)444(1)
-Probate
  Applications16 31916 30816 96714 525(2)16 935(2)16 664(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)
  Target201120122013
Court of Appeal    
-Criminal - from setting down of a case to hearing 50 535250
-Civil - from application to fix date to hearing 90 117131138
Court of First Instance    
- Criminal Fixture List - from filing of indictment to hearing 120 169180211
-Criminal Running List - from setting down of a case to hearing 90 797283
-Civil Fixture List - from application to fix date to hearing 180 231244261
-Civil Running List - from setting down of a case to hearing 90 835085
-Appeals from Magistrates' Courts - from lodging of Notice of Appeal to hearing 90 8692105

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

District Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE DISTRICT COURT

CaseloadDisposal*
  201120122013201120122013
-Criminal Jurisdiction
 Criminal Cases1 3961 2071 1901 4361 2721 214
-Civil Jurisdiction
 Civil4 9944 5175 1543 7153 5913 779
 Tax Claim5 1694 1433 0354 7733 6922 990
 Distress for Rent 4 4243 8573 9134 5133 9454 024
 Employee's Compensation2 0112 2892 3391 5631 9182 168
 Other civil cases +5 7966 0416 1954 3884 9695 156
 Sub-total 22 39420 84720 63618 95218 11518 117
-Family Jurisdiction      
 Matrimonial Causes18 37419 16418 65115 93317 27218 323
 Joint Applications 4 1694 0914 3093 6643 8533 948
 Miscellaneous Proceedings317298319244270315
 Adoption Applications 1291211139212294
 Sub-total 22 98923 67423 39219 933(1)21 517(1)22 680(1)
 Total (Civil) 45 38344 52144 02838 88539 63240 797
 Total 46 77945 72845 21840 32140 90442 011
        
-Masters Chambers      
 Interlocutory hearings**7 6317 5307 4626 7866 4325 879
-Taxation bills       
 Divorce2 1891 9941 8442 0771 8981 722
 Others458426418315331254
 Sub-total2 6472 4202 2622 392(2)2 229(2)1 976(2)
 Total 10 2789 9509 7249 1788 6617 855
*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)
  Target201120122013
Criminal - from first appearance of defendants in District Court to hearing
100 866260
Civil - from date of listing to hearing 120 729691
Dissolution of marriage - from setting down of a case to hearing
    
- Special Procedure List
35 333333
- Defended List (one day hearing)
110 10798108
- Financial applications - from filing of summons to hearing
110-140 908386

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Magistrates' Courts

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

  CaseloadDisposal *
  201120122013201120122013
-Charge Cases35 24334 36034 25034 84334 32234 521
-Hawker Cases10 1929 3969 53410 1979 3869 523
-Departmental & Private Summonses185 102192 566184 221184 862189 123188 949
-Driving-Offence Points Summonses1 9681 9662 1972 1552 0332 340
-Fixed Penalty Summonses (Traffic)612742856719701832
-Fixed Penalty Summonses (Public Cleanliness Offences)319244164343248175
-Fixed Penalty Summonses (Smoking Offences)764935785835
-Fixed Penalty Summonses (Vehicle Idling)000000
-Fixed Penalty Summonses (Mandatory Window Inspection)^-00-00
-Miscellaneous Proceedings10 71811 13811 16610 87711 79311 231
-Departmental Notice824789764846796770
-Fixed Penalty Notice (Traffic)58 28168 02873 17858 99568 84573 821
-Fixed Penalty Notice (Public Cleanliness Offences)2 6222 6432 2912 7532 6092 286
-Fixed Penalty Notice (Smoking Offences)1 0099971 0451 0411 0161 024
-Fixed Penalty Notice (Vehicle Idling)001001
-Fixed Penalty Notice (Mandatory Window Inspection)^-00-00
 Total306 966322 918319 702307 709320 930325 508
*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 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)
  Target201120122013
Summonses - from plea to date of trial
50 545466
Charge Cases - from plea to date of trial
    
- For defendants in custody
30-45384141
- For defendants on bail
45-60515149

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Lands Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL

  CaseloadDisposal*
  201120122013201120122013
-Appeal cases23928122866103205
-Compensation cases 15146111511
-Building management cases407367346333292337
-Tenancy cases4 4574 4294 4373 6353 4613 584
-Lands compulsory sale applications486017293345
-Miscellaneous proceedings applications451450
 Total5 1705 1565 0354 0783 9094 182
*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)
  Target201120122013
From setting down of a case to hearing    
- Appeal cases
100 322027
- Compensation cases 100 464153
- Building management cases 100 352539
- Tenancy cases 60 262129

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Labour Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL

  CaseloadDisposal*
  201120122013201120122013
-Claims4 1904 7444 1544 0024 2454 000
-Reviews636448626647
-Restore claims675437616034
-Set-aside awards848074878071
 Total4 4044 9424 3134 2124 4514 152
* 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)
  Target201120122013
-From appointment to filing of a case
30 212521
-From filing of a case to first hearing
30 252525

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Small Claims Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL

  CaseloadDisposal*
  201120122013201120122013
-Claims50 96248 20148 98251 09749 09449 584
-Reviews219227267186211231
 Total51 18148 42849 24951 28349 30549 815
*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)
  Target201120122013
-From filing of a case to first hearing 60 383937

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Obscene Articles Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL

  CaseloadDisposal*
  201120122013201120122013
-Articles for determination
27 15960 31341 82028 64559 14616 841
-Articles for classification
737306309733311307
-Articles for review
611602
-Articles for reconsideration
101100
 Total27 90360 62042 13129 38559 45717 150
*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)
  Target201120122013
-From referral by a magistrate to determination
21 212116
-From receipt of application to classification
5 322
-From receipt of application to review
35 232421
-From receipt of application to reconsideration
35 24- * 30
*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

  CaseloadDisposal*
  201120122013201120122013
-Death inquests with jury
144147120149138140
-Death inquests without jury
333136332636
 Total177178156182164176
*Case disposal refers to death inquests concluded

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE CORONER'S COURT

  Average Waiting Time (days)
  Target201120122013
-From date of listing to hearing
42 404241


Membership List of
the Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee

-ChairmanChief Judge, High Court
-MembersThe Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, V-P
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice H C AU
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice Mohan T BHARWANEY
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Registrar, High Court
Chief District Judge
Deputy District Judge 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 Brian GILCHRIST
Law Society of Hong Kong
Mr CHAN Bing-woon, SBS, JP
Miss Emma LAU
Judiciary Administrator
-In AttendanceMr NG Sek-hon
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
-SecretaryMs Wendy CHEUNG
Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)


Membership List of the Working Party on Mediation

-ChairmanThe Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, V-P
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
-MembersThe Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice S C POON
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 Chris CHONG
Legal Aid Department
Ms Lisa WONG, SC
Hong Kong Bar Association
Mrs Cecilia WONG
Law Society of Hong Kong
Mr CHAN Bing-woon, SBS, JP
Mr John BUDGE, SBS, JP
-In AttendanceMr Esmond LEE
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)
Ms April LAM
Senior Mediation Affairs Officer
-SecretaryMs April LEUNG
Senior Judiciary Executive (Development)2


Membership List of the Court Users' Committees

Civil Court Users' Committee

-ChairmanThe Hon Madam Justice Maria C YUEN, JA
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
(up to 6.11.2013)
The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, V-P
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
(w.e.f. 7.11.2013)
-MembersThe Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, V-P
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
(up to 6.11.2013)
The Hon Madam Justice Carlye CHU, 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
The Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
(w.e.f. 7.11.2013)
Mr LUNG Kim-wan
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
(up to 6.11.2013)
Ms Sherman CHEUNG
Legal Aid Department
(w.e.f. 7.11.2013)
Mr Alan FONG
Official Receiver's Office
Mr Paul SHIEH, SC
Mr Thomas SO
Mr Bernard HUI
(up to 6.11.2013)
Mr Peter CHUA
(w.e.f. 7.11.2013)
-In AttendanceMr NG Sek-hon
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
Mr Kenneth LIU
Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judge)2
-SecretaryMs Betty CHAN
Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)

Criminal Court Users' Committee

-ChairmanThe Hon Mr Justice Louis TONG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
-MembersThe Hon Mr Justice Andrew C MACRAE, JA
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal 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 Andrew CHAN
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Mr LUNG Kim-wan
Registrar, High Court
His Honour Judge S T POON
Chief District Judge
Mr LEE Hing-nin, Clement
Chief Magistrate
Mr William TAM
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
(up to 20.3.2013)
Mr SO Wing-keung, Raymond, IMS
Independent Commission Against Corruption
(w.e.f. 21.3.2013)
Mr Steven A CARRUTHERS
Hong Kong Police Force
(up to 27.1.2013)
Mr Matthew P J HEMMINGS
Hong Kong Police Force
(w.e.f. 28.1.2013)
Mr LAM Kwok-leung
Correctional Services Department
Mr WONG Man-kit, SC
Mr Stephen HUNG
Mr HO Yat-wan, Alec
-In AttendanceMr NG Sek-hon
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
Ms Gloria POON
Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)1
-SecretaryMs Betty CHAN
Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)

Family Court Users' Committee

-ChairmanHis Honour Judge Bruno CHAN
Acting Principal Family Court Judge
-MembersHis Honour Judge S T POON
Chief District Judge
Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY
Family Court Judge
His Honour Judge C K CHAN
Family Court Judge
Ms Doris LUI
Legal Aid Department
Mr FUNG Man-chung
Social Welfare Department
Ms Jacqueline LEONG, SC
Ms Corinne REMEDIOS
Mr Jonathan MOK
Mr Dennis HO
Ms Jain BROWN
-In AttendanceMr NG Sek-hon
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
Ms Jackie LUI
Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court)
-SecretaryMs Betty CHAN
Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)


Membership List of the Governing Body of the Hong Kong Judicial Institute

-ChairmanThe Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA, GBM
Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal
-MembersThe Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO
Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
The Hon Mr Justice CHEUNG
Chief Judge of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK, V-P
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 Andrew CHAN
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Madam Justice Mimmie CHAN
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
His Honour Judge S T POON
Chief District Judge
Mr LEE Hing-nin, Clement
Acting Chief Magistrate
Miss Emma LAU
Judiciary Administrator


Judiciary Administration

Judiciary Administration

Miss Emma LAU , Judiciary Administrator

Operations Division

Mr NG Sek-hon, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
 
(a)Project Management OfficeMs Catherine LEEChief Systems Manager (Project Management Office) [up to 15.12.2013]
(b)Information Technology Office (Technical)Ms Catherine LEEChief Systems Manager (Information Technology) [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
(c)Information Technology Office (Operational)Mr Anthony CHANAssistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Information Technology) [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]Note 1
(d)Operations Division Ms Betty CHANChief Judiciary Executive (Operations)
(e)Support to Judges SectionMs Frieda LEUNGChief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)1 [up to 21.2.2013]
Ms Gloria POONActing Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)1 [w.e.f. 22.2.2013]
Mr Roger LAWChief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2 [up to 14.5.2013]
Mr Kenneth LIUActing Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2 [w.e.f. 15.5.2013]
Ms Peggy CHANActing Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)3 [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
(f)Clerk of Court's OfficeMrs Pamela PANGClerk of Court
(g)Court of Final Appeal RegistryMr Jackson CHANSenior Judicial Clerk I (Court of Final Appeal)
(h)High Court RegistryMr Kenneth LIUChief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry) [up to 14.5.2013]
Ms Catherine LIChief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry) [w.e.f. 15.5.2013]
(i)District Court Mr Barry LEEActing Chief Judicial Clerk (Registry, District Court) [up to 12.11.2013]
Mr Barry LEEChief Judicial Clerk (Registry, District Court) [w.e.f. 13.11.2013]
Mrs Flora CHUNGChief Judicial Clerk (Courts, District Court)
(j)Family Court RegistryMs Jackie LUIActing Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court)
(k)Lands Tribunal RegistryMs Evelyn CHEUNGChief Judicial Clerk (Lands Tribunal)
(l)Magistrates' Courts General OfficeMr James WONGSenior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies) [up to 21.7.2013]
Ms Peggy CHANSenior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies) [from 22.7.2013 to 15.12.2013]
Ms Elsa CHANActing Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies) [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
(m)Probate RegistryMr M K LAMChief Probate Officer
(n)Labour Tribunal RegistryMr W M WONGActing Registrar (Labour Tribunal)
(o)Small Claims Tribunal Registry Ms Peggy CHANChief Judicial Clerk ( Small Claims Tribunal ) [up to 23.6.2013]
Ms Rosana LAWActing Chief Judicial Clerk ( Small Claims Tribunal ) [w.e.f. 24.6.2013]
(p)Court Language SectionMs Celina WONGChief Judiciary Executive (Court Language) [up to 15.12.2013]
Ms Celina WONGChief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)1 [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
Ms Patience IPActing Chief Court Interpreter [up to 15.12.2013]
Ms Patience IPActing Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)2 [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
(q)Bailiff SectionMr Sunny KWANChief Bailiff (Administration and Admiralty)
Mr T M CHOIChief Bailiff (Operations)
(r)Mediation Information OfficeMs April LAMSenior Mediation Affairs Officer
(s)Family Mediation Coordinator's OfficeMrs P F MAKMediation Coordinator (Family) [up to 2.6.2013]
Mrs Heidy KWONGMediation Coordinator (Family) [w.e.f. 3.6.2013]
(t)Building Management Mediation Coordinator's OfficeMs S F CHANMediation Coordinator (Building Management)
(u)Project Management Office Ms Gloria POONSenior Judiciary Executive (Project Management Office)1 [up to 21.2.2013]
Mr James WONGSenior Judiciary Executive (Project Management Office)1 [from 22.7.2013 to 15.12.2013]
Ms Catherine LIActing Senior Judiciary Executive (Project Management Office)2 [up to 10.1.2013]
Ms Catherine LISenior Judiciary Executive (Project Management Office)2 [from 11.1.2013 to 14.5.2013]
Ms Hedy WUActing Senior Judiciary Executive (Project Management Office)2 [from 15.5.2013 to 15.12.2013]
Ms Grace LAWSenior Judiciary Executive (Project Management Office)3 [from 26.8.2013 to 15.12.2013]
(v)Information Technology Office (Technical) Mr Kenneth YEUNGSenior Systems Manager (1) [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
Mr Jeffrey FUNGSenior Systems Manager (4) [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
(w)Information Technology Office (Operational) Mr James WONGSenior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)1 [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
Ms Hedy WUActing Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)2 [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
Ms Grace LAWSenior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)3 [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
Mr Stanford KONGSenior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)4 [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]

Development Division

Mr Esmond LEE, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)
 
(a)Development OfficeMs Wendy CHEUNGAssistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)
(b)Press & Public Relations OfficeMs Florence WONGPrincipal Information Officer

Quality Division

Mr Stanley TO, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality) [up to 10.4.2013]
Mr Anthony CHAN, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality) [from 11.4.2013 to 15.12.2013]
Mr Anthony CHAN, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Information Technology) [w.e.f. 16.12.2013]
 
(a)Complaints OfficeMr Jerry IUActing Senior Judiciary Executive (Complaints) [up to 10.1.2013]
Mr Jerry IUSenior Judiciary Executive (Complaints) [from 11.1.2013 to 21.10.2013]
Ms Crystal LEEActing Senior Judiciary Executive (Complaints) [w.e.f. 22.10.2013]
(b)Court Reporters OfficeMs Maggie CHENGSenior Court Reporter (Development)
(c)Information Technology Management SectionMr Jeffrey FUNGChief Judiciary Executive (Information Technology) [up to 15.12.2013]
(d)Legal Reference and Library SectionMs Miranda FUNGSenior Judiciary Executive (Legal Reference and Library)
(e)Management Information SectionMs Memory WONGSenior Judiciary Executive (Management Information) [up to 12.6.2013]
Ms Eva LEEJudiciary Executive (Management Information)1Note 2
Ms Anny TAM Judiciary Executive (Management Information)2Note 2
Ms Eva LEE Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Management Information) [w.e.f. 2.10.2013]
(f)Management Review SectionMs Cora CHENGChief Judiciary Executive (Management Review) [up to 27.10.2013]
Mr William CHUNGChief Judiciary Executive (Management Review) [w.e.f. 28.10.2013]

Corporate Services Division

Mrs Angela LO, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Corporate Services)
 
(a)Accommodation SectionMrs Lowell CHOChief Judiciary Executive (Accommodation) [up to 8.9.2013]
Mr Roger NGChief Judiciary Executive (Accommodation) [w.e.f. 9.9.2013]
(b)Finance Section Ms Cindy LEEChief Judiciary Executive (Finance)
(c)Judges and Judicial Officers SectionMs Charling LIChief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers) [up to 18.8.2013]
Ms Doreen KWANChief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers) [w.e.f. 19.8.2013]
(d)Support Staff SectionMs Y C MAKActing Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Staff) [up to 28.3.2013]
Ms Mabel CHENGSenior Judiciary Executive (Human Resources)Note 3
Ms Susanne KWANSenior Judiciary Executive (Support Staff)1Note 3
Ms Jovy WONGSenior Judiciary Executive (Administration)Note 3
Ms Ivy TANGActing Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Staff) [w.e.f. 11.11.2013]
(e)West Kowloon Law Courts Building Integrated TeamMr Sonny CHINGSenior Architect
Note 1:Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Information Technology) reports to the Judiciary Administrator direct in respect of areas of his portfolio other than those related to Information Technology Office (Operational).
Note 2:Temporarily sharing the duties of Senior Judiciary Executive (Management Information) from 17.6.2013 to 1.10.2013.
Note 3:Temporarily sharing the duties of Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Staff) from 2.4.2013 to 10.11.2013.

Judicial Education

Judicial Educational Activities Organised by the Judiciary

DateActivity
2.11.2012 - 18.1.2013Course on Chinese Judgment Writing run by the University of Hong Kong
23 - 25.1.2013Induction Course for District Judges and Magistrates
6.9.2013Talk entitled "The International Hague Network of Judges and Cross-Border Judicial Communication" by Mr Hans VAN LOON, Former Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law
28.9.2013Visit to Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre
25.10.2013Talk entitled "Sitting as Non-Permanent Judge in the Court of Final Appeal for the Past 16 years" by the Hon Sir Anthony MASON, GBM, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
9.12.2013Talk entitled "Judges must not only be independent but must be seen to be independent - the birth of the UK Supreme Court" by The Rt Hon the Lord PHILLIPS of Worth Matravers, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
16 - 17.12.2013Induction Course for Coroners

Activities Organised by Other Institutions and Attended by Judges and Judicial Officers

DateActivity
15.1.2013Talk by James BADENOCH, QC, England & Wales, entitled "The Bolam Principle in Medical Negligence – A Sacred Cow? Let’s kill it off.", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
22.2.2013Talk by Lord David PANNICK, QC, England & Wales, entitled "Scandalising the Judiciary: Why this Criminal Offence should be Abolished", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
4 - 5.3.2013Training for Commonwealth Judges – Crown Court Trial Seminar in Coventry, the United Kingdom, organised by the Judicial College of England and Wales
8.3.2013Public Lecture entitled "Whither Fiduciary Duties?", organised by the University of Hong Kong
8.4.2013Common Law Lecture by Chief Justice Geoffrey MA – "The Interpretation of Hong Kong’s Constitution: A Personal View", organised by the University of Hong Kong
18.4.2013Public Lecture by Mr JAT Sew-tong, SC, JP, entitled "Public Dispute Resolution in Hong Kong: A Practitioner's Note", organised by the University of Hong Kong
18 - 22.5.2013The INSOL Tenth Multinational Judicial Colloquium on Insolvency and the Ninth Quadrennial Congress of INSOL International in the Hague, the Netherlands, organised by the INSOL International, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and the World Bank
24 - 25.5.2013PRC Maritime Law Seminar in Shenzhen, Mainland, organised by the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council, co-organised by the University of Hong Kong, Dalian Maritime University and the Hong Kong Maritime Law Association
26.6.2013Talk by the Hon Mr Justice Murray GLEESON, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, entitled "Two Courts of Last Resort: High Court of Australia and The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal", organised by the Hong Kong Chapter of the Law Council of Australia
3 - 5.7.2013The 2nd International Family Law and Practice Conference 2013 on "Parentage, Equality and Gender" in London, the United Kingdom, organised by The Centre for Family Law and Practice
8 - 12.7.2013Judicial Governance Programme in Singapore, organised by the Subordinate Courts of Singapore and the Singapore Civil Service College
29.7 - 1.8.2013Investigation and Undercover Workshop, organised by the Homeland Security Investigations stationed at the US Consulate
22 - 23.8.2013International Commercial Law and Arbitration Conference in Sydney, Australia, organised by the Federal Court of Australia
31.8.2013Seminar entitled "Victims of Sex Crimes", organised by the Department of Justice in Hong Kong
21 - 24.10.2013Asia Pacific Coroners Society Conference in Darwin, Australia, organised by the Asia Pacific Coroners Society
22 - 24.10.2013Competition Law Workshop for Asia-Pacific Judges in Gyeongju, Korea, organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development/Korea Policy Centre
2.11.2013Conference entitled "The Debates: Criminal Justice Reform", jointly organised by the Department of Justice, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong
4.11.2013Seminar entitled "Access to Justice and the Challenge of Self-representation", organised by the University of Hong Kong
23.11.2013"Seminar on the Protection of Sexual Violence Victims in Judicial System", jointly organised by Hong Kong Federation of Women Lawyers and RainLily
29.11.2013Talk by Edward FITZGERALD, CBE, QC, entitled "Recent Developments in Extradition", organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association


Number of Visits and Visitors to the Judiciary

 20122013
Local  
No. of visits221224
No. of visitors6 8476 984
The Mainland  
No. of visits5742
No. of visitors1 5381 234
Overseas  
No. of visits2518
No. of visitors301269
Total  
No. of visits303284
No. of visitors8 6868 487

 Number of Visitors
Category of Visitors20122013
Judges and legal profession471430
Government officials1 008695
Students and others7 2077 362
Total8 6868 487


Expenditure and Revenue of the Judiciary in 2012-2013

Recurrent Expenditure

  2012-2013 ($' 000)
-Personal Emoluments841,689
-Departmental Expenses294,368
-Other Charges6,083
 Total1,142,140

Revenue*

  2012-2013 ($' 000)
-Fees & Charges170,239
-Fines228,540
-Forfeitures & Others78,449
 Total477,228
*Revenue collected by the Judiciary forms part of the Government's General Revenue


Complaints against Judges and Judicial Officers

 Nature of Complaints2013
(1)Complaints against judicial decisions74
(2)Complaints against judicial conduct36
(3)Complaints against both the judicial decisions
and the judicial conduct
31
 Total141
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 2013 is 491,544.


Complaints against the Judiciary Administration

 Nature of Complaints2013*
-Complaints about procedures24
-Complaints about facilities12
-Complaints about the judicial support services49
-Complaints against staff of the Judiciary Administration82
 Total167
*Oral complaints included


Last Update Date : 26-02-2014