This Report provides an overview of the major events of the Judiciary in 2019.

In view of the heavy workload, the Judiciary continued to conduct open recruitment exercises for Judges and Judicial Officers (“JJOs”) at the High Court, District Court and Magistrates’ Courts with a view to tackling the shortfall in judicial manpower.

The year saw the passage of the legislative amendments for extending the retirement age of JJOs. An extension of the statutory retirement age for JJOs will encourage recruitment of the best legal talents to the Judiciary, as well as help retain experienced serving JJOs. Furthermore, progress has been made on the proposed legislative amendments to streamline procedures of the High Court and facilitate the more efficient handling of cases, including those relating to non-refoulement claims. We hope that the relevant legislative process will be able to be completed and the streamlined procedures implemented by 2020.

The Intellectual Property List of the Court of First Instance of the High Court was established on 6 May 2019. With the setting up of the List, specialist Judges are assigned to handle and better manage intellectual property cases. This will in the long run reduce costs and the time needed for the resolution of this type of dispute.

The upsurge in the number of court cases arising from recent events has posed new challenges to the Judiciary. We will try to deal with cases expeditiously and efficiently as far as practicable while at the same time ensuring that they are handled fairly and strictly in accordance with the law.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank members of the community, the Government and the Legislative Council for their invaluable support for the work of the Judiciary. I would also like to express my gratitude to my fellow judges and judicial officers, as well as staff in the Judiciary for their dedication and professionalism in the face of increasing challenges.

This Report provides statistics on the caseload and waiting times at various levels of court, and other information about the operation of the Judiciary. 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 2019


Following tradition, the year began with the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal year on 14 January. The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA spoke about the important facets of Hong Kong’s legal system with a view to providing the necessary context to enable the public to properly appraise and comment on the work of the courts, in particular decisions on matters which greatly concern the community. As contained in the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s legal system is characterized by an independent judiciary where judges are independent from any outside interference in the discharge of their constitutional duties. The essence of fairness and justice also lies in everyone’s entitlement to equal treatment under the law. In addition, the courts look only to the legal issues involved in determining the outcome of the case even the case may carry political, social or economic ramifications. There also exists a proper appellate system under which anyone who feels aggrieved by a judge’s decision may appeal to a higher court. Another important characteristic is the transparency of the work of the courts and this contributes to the community’s confidence in the legal system. These are essential facets of the administration of justice in Hong Kong.

The Chief Justice also provided an update on the Judiciary’s proposals to extend the retirement age for Judges and Judicial Officers ("JJOs") and to introduce legislative amendments to facilitate a more efficient handling of cases involving non-refoulement claims. He also stressed the total commitment of the Judiciary in Hong Kong to rule of law and to serving the community.

Appointment of Judges and Judicial Officers

Various judicial appointments were made in the year 2019. Among these were the appointment of the Right Hon Lord Jonathan SUMPTION as a Non-Permanent Judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal; the appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON as the Chief Judge of the High Court; the appointment of the Hon Madam Justice Susan KWAN as a Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court; the appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Thomas AU as a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court; and the appointments of the Hon Mr Justice Tony POON, the Hon Madam Justice Marlene NG, the Hon Mr Justice Alex LEE, the Hon Mr Justice Russell COLEMAN, the Hon Mr Justice Keith YEUNG and the Hon Madam Justice Linda CHAN as Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court.

Caseload

In 2019, the Judiciary continued to face heavy work pressure at all levels of court. While many performance targets were achieved, a few targets at various levels of courts were not met. To address this challenge, the Judiciary continued to recruit JJOs at the High Court, District Court and Magistrates’ Courts with a view to tackling the shortfall in judicial manpower which is one of the main factors affecting the court waiting times. Pending the substantive filling of judicial vacancies through open recruitment, the Judiciary continued to make use of temporary judicial resources to help maintain judicial manpower required at different levels of court.

During the year, the legislative amendments for extending the statutory retirement age for JJOs were passed. It is hoped that the extended statutory retirement age for JJOs would help relieve the judicial manpower shortage problem by attracting quality candidates who are in private practice to join the Bench and retaining experienced JJOs. Furthermore, progress has been made on the proposed legislative amendments to streamline procedures of the High Court and facilitate the more efficient handling of cases, including those relating to non-refoulement claims. We hope that the relevant legislative process will be able to be completed and the streamlined procedures implemented by 2020. The Judiciary will continue to closely monitor the waiting times for court cases.

Establishment of the Intellectual Property List of Court of First Instance of High Court

The Intellectual Property List of the Court of First Instance of the High Court was established on 6 May 2019. With the setting up of the List, specialist Judges are assigned to handle and better manage intellectual property cases. This will in the long run reduce costs and the time needed for the resolution of this type of dispute.

Boards and Committees

The Chief Justice appointed JJOs and invited representatives from the legal profession and relevant government departments to sit on a number of boards and committees to provide their input 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, Admiralty Court Users’ Committee, Civil Court Users’ Committee, Criminal Court Users’ Committee, Family Proceedings Court Users’ Committee, Competition Tribunal Users’ Committee, Sub-Committee on Companies and Insolvency Matters of the Civil Court Users’ Committee and the Governing Body of the Hong Kong Judicial Institute.

Exchanges with other Jurisdictions

In 2019, our JJOs continued exchanges with their counterparts in other jurisdictions. In February, the Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA attended the Sixth Judicial Seminar on Commercial Litigation held in Sydney, Australia. In May, he attended the Asia-Pacific Judicial Colloquium 2019 held in Singapore. In mid-September, he led a seven-member delegation to attend the Fifth Seminar of Senior Judges of Cross-Strait and Hong Kong and Macao in Zhanjiang. In end-September, he spoke at the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum Lunch in the International Bar Association Annual Conference 2019 in Seoul, Korea and also gave a lecture at the Seoul National University. In September, the Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the Global Constitutionalism Seminar 2019 held at the Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, the United States. In March, the Hon Madam Justice Bebe CHU, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the 2019 Singapore Family Mediation Symposium held in Singapore. In August, the Hon Mr Justice Tony POON, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, led a five-member delegation to visit various courts in Perth and Sydney, Australia to enhance understanding on how court case management can be improved through application of information technology.

Visits and Visitors to the Judiciary

In 2019, the Judiciary arranged 337 visits for about 10 000 visitors. Among all, most visitors are local students. We greatly value all opportunities to meet with visitors and introduce to them the work of the Judiciary.

You are cordially invited to visit our Photo Gallery for various memorable moments of the Judiciary in 2019.

Highlights of Events in 2019


January
8 An eight-member delegation from the Ministry of Justice led by Mr FU Zhenghua, Minister of Justice, visited the Judiciary
12 The 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
14 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA officiated at the ceremonial opening of the 2019 Legal Year
14 The Hon Mr Justice H C AU, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, was appointed Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
14 His Honour Judge Tony POON, Chief District Judge, Her Honour Judge Marlene NG and His Honour Judge Alex LEE, District Judges, were appointed Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
14 His Honour Judge C K CHAN, District Judge, was appointed Principal Family Court Judge
16 An eight-member delegation led by Mr CHEN Haiguang, Director of the Judges Management Division of the Supreme People’s Court, visited the Judiciary
24 The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Conference on Cross-Border Bankruptcy (Liquidation) between the Mainland and Hong Kong SAR in Beijing
24 A five-member delegation of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee visited the Judiciary
29 Mr LIU Daqun, Judge of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, the United Nations, visited the Judiciary

February
1 Dr Rita RAMALHO, Senior Manager, Global Indicators Group, the World Bank Group, the United States, visited the Judiciary
14-16 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA, the Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, and the Hon Mr Justice Peter NG, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Sixth Judicial Seminar on Commercial Litigation held in Sydney, Australia
22 An 11-member delegation from the Supreme People’s Court and the Higher People’s Court of Guangdong Province visited the Judiciary
24 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA acted as a judge for the JESSUP International Law Moot Court Competition 2019 (the Hong Kong Rounds)

March
1 Mr POW Wing-nin, Jason, SC; and Mr Anthony Kenneth HOUGHTON, SC were re-appointed Recorders of the Court of First Instance of the High Court for a period of three years
1 A 38-member delegation from the Office of the Judiciary of Thailand visited the Judiciary
4-7 The Hon Mr Justice Tony POON, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, visited the Judicial College, England and Wales and attended the Business of Judging Seminar in the United Kingdom
14 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered the lecture on “Limits and Limitations: How effective are the Courts in the Protection of Human Rights?” at the University of Zurich, Switzerland
20 A 20-member delegation from the Harvard Asia Law Society visited the Judiciary
27 A six-member delegation led by Mr XIONG Xuanguo, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, visited the Judiciary
28 A group of 21 Mainland judges attending the 5th and 6th Doctor of Juridical Science Programme for Chinese Senior Judges of the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary
29 The Hon Madam Justice Bebe CHU, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the 2019 Singapore Family Mediation Symposium held in Singapore
31.3-2.4 The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the Thirteenth Multinational Judicial Colloquium on Insolvency and the Offshore Meeting of the International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals (“INSOL”) International in Singapore

April
1 The Hon Madam Justice Susan KWAN, 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
1 The Hon Madam Justice K Y WONG, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, was appointed President, Lands Tribunal
2 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA and the Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, were conferred to the degrees of Doctor of Laws honoris causa at the 201st Congregation of the University of Hong Kong. The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered the acceptance speech on behalf of the honorary graduates at the congregation
2 Mr Russell Adam COLEMAN, SC was appointed Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
2 A six-member delegation led by Mr YANG Wanming, Vice- President of the Supreme People’s Court, visited the Judiciary
8-12 The Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, and the Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the 21st Commonwealth Law Conference held in Livingstone, Zambia
17 A five-member delegation led by Mr DENG Zhonghua, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, visited the Judiciary
17 The Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, attended the International Dispute Resolution Conference 2019 jointly organised by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, Hong Kong Mediation Centre and International Dispute Resolution & Risk Management Institute
23-26 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered the Inaugural Caius Mok Law Lecture entitled “The Endless Search for the Right Answer: European Legal Principles as applied in Hong Kong” at the University of Cambridge. He also gave a talk at the lunch organised by the Hong Kong Association in London, the United Kingdom

May
21 Members from the Legislative Council Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services visited the Judiciary
22 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered a speech entitled “Understanding the Legal Fundamentals in Dealing with Corruption” at the 7th ICAC Symposium
27 A group of 25 Mainland judges attending the 14th Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges of the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary
27-30 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA and the Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the Asia-Pacific Judicial Colloquium 2019 held in Singapore
30-31 The Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the 9th Annual Competition Law Seminar for Asia-Pacific Judges in Bangkok, Thailand

June
16-18 The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the International Insolvency Institute’s 19th Annual Conference in Barcelona, Spain
17 A four-member delegation led by Mr Frédéric VAN LEEUW, Belgian Federal Prosecutor, visited the Judiciary
19 A six-member delegation led by Mr YE Liudong, President of Guangzhou Maritime Court, visited the Judiciary
22 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA presided over the 2019 Senior Counsel Admission Ceremony
24-28 The Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, visited the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London, the United Kingdom

July
16 A seven-member delegation led by Mr HAN Deyang, President of the Higher People’s Court of Guizhou Province, visited the Judiciary
22 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered closing remarks at the inaugural seminar – “International Dispute Resolution: Reflections and Redirections” jointly organised by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law and the Chinese University of Hong Kong
29 The terms of office of the Hon Mr Justice James SPIGELMAN and the Hon Mr Justice William GUMMOW, Non-Permanent Judges from other common law jurisdictions of the Court of Final Appeal, were extended for a period of three years
29 Mr Keith YEUNG Kar-hung, SC was appointed Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court

August
1 The Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, was re-appointed President, Competition Tribunal and the Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, was re-appointed Deputy President, Competition Tribunal
12-16 The Hon Mr Justice Tony POON, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court; His Honour Judge Justin KO, Acting Chief District Judge; Master HUI Ka-ho, Temporary Deputy Registrar of the High Court; Mr Victor SO Wai-tak, Acting Chief Magistrate and Master Simon LUI, Temporary Registrar of the District Court, visited various courts in Perth and Sydney, Australia to enhance understanding on how court case management can be improved through application of information technology
18-20 The Hon Mr Justice LOK, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court and His Honour Judge Kent YEE, District Judge, attended an international forum on intellectual property matters in Guangzhou
21 Mr LIN Kam-hung, Ernest Michael; Mrs TSE CHING Adriana Noelle and Mr PANG Ka-kwong were appointed District Judges
28 A twelve-member delegation led by Mr. Mohd Nadzri bin ABDUL RAHMAN, the Honourable Chief Justice of the Syariah Court of Malacca, Malaysia, visited the Judiciary

September
1 The term of office of the Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK, Non-Permanent Hong Kong Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, was extended for a period of three years
9-11 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA; the Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal; the Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON, Acting Chief Judge of the High Court; the Hon Madam Justice Carlye CHU, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court; the Hon Mr Justice Tony POON, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court; His Honour Judge Justin KO, Acting Chief District Judge; and Mr Victor SO Wai-tak, Acting Chief Magistrate, attended the “Fifth Seminar of Senior Judges of Cross-Strait and Hong Kong and Macao” in Zhanjiang
11-13 The Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the Global Constitutionalism Seminar 2019 held at the Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, the United States
22-26 The Hon Mr Justice Tony POON, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the 9th International Conference on the Training of the Judiciary of the International Organisation for Judicial Training in Cape Town, South Africa
23-26 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered a speech entitled “Hong Kong and the Rule of Law: Is it Tangible?” at the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum Lunch in the International Bar Association Annual Conference 2019 in Seoul, Korea. The Hon Chief Justice MA also gave a lecture at the Seoul National University. The Hon Mr Justice Joseph FOK, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, delivered a speech entitled “Judges from other common law jurisdictions in the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal” at the conference. The Hon Mr Justice Kevin Paul ZERVOS, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court also spoke at the conference
30.9-2.10 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA; the Hon Mr Justice Joseph FOK, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal; the Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON, Acting Chief Judge of the High Court; the Hon Mr Justice Wally YEUNG, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court; and the Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court attended the celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing

October
7-11 The Hon Madam Justice Mimmie CHAN and the Hon Mr Justice David LOK, Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, visited the Court of Appeal, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, the Patents Court, and the Commercial Court in London, the United Kingdom
8 Mr CHAN Kam-chuen and Ms Phoebe MAN Ho-yee were appointed District Judges
16 The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the 3rd International Conference on Market-Orientated Bankruptcy in Shenzhen
18 The Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON, Acting Chief Judge of the High Court, attended the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission ("CIETAC")’s Inaugural Greater Bay Area Summit
18 A group of 21 Mainland judges attending the 15th Advanced Programme for Chinese Senior Judges of the City University of Hong Kong visited the Judiciary
21 The term of office of the Hon Mr Justice Patrick CHAN, Non-Permanent Hong Kong Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, was extended for a period of three years
22 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered closing remarks at the ADR in Asia Conference: Arbitrating for Settlement
30 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered a speech entitled “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders” at the Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools 55th Anniversary Education Colloquium 2019

November
4 The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, attended the 3rd United Nations Commission on International Trade Law ("UNCITRAL") Asia Pacific Judicial Summit 2019
5 The Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG and the Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS, Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the 3rd United Nations Commission on International Trade Law ("UNCITRAL") Asia Pacific Judicial Roundtable
6&8 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA gave a speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 32nd LAWASIA Conference. The Hon Mr Justice Aarif T BARMA, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court; and the Hon Mr Justice Russell A COLEMAN, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court also attended the Conference
7 The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals ("INSOL") International Tokyo One Day Seminar in Tokyo, Japan
27 Mr Jonathan HATWELL, Head of Division, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Mongolia, European External Action Service, European Commission, European Union, visited the Judiciary

December
8 The Hon Mr Justice Wally YEUNG, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, attended a Forum on Case Law and Guiding Cases System in Beijing co-organised by the National Judges College and the City University of Hong Kong
13 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA attended the Ceremony on the Nanjing Massacre National Memorial Day
18 The Rt Hon Lord Jonathan SUMPTION was appointed Non-Permanent Judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal
18 The Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, was appointed Chief Judge of the High Court
18 Ms Linda CHAN, SC was appointed Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
19 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA attended the 2019 Law Society Pro Bono and Community Service Award Presentation Ceremony
20 A four-member delegation from the Shanghai High People’s Court, Shanghai Financial Court, Pudong New Area People’s Court of Shanghai and Huangpu District People’s Court of Shanghai, 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 R A V RIBEIRO 
The Hon Mr Justice Joseph P FOK 
The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG 
- Non-Permanent Judges of the Court of Final Appeal
The Hon Mr Justice S K S BOKHARY, GBM  
The Hon Mr Justice Patrick CHAN, GBM 
The Hon Mr Justice Robert TANG, GBM, SBS 
The Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK, GBS 
The Rt Hon the Lord HOFFMANN, GBS 
The Rt Hon the Lord MILLETT, GBS 
The Hon Mr Justice Murray GLEESON 
The Rt Hon the Lord NEUBERGER of Abbotsbury, GBS 
The Rt Hon the Lord WALKER of Gestingthorpe, GBS 
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 
The Hon Mr Justice William GUMMOW  
The Hon Mr Justice Robert FRENCH 
The Rt Hon Lord REED  
The Rt Hon the Baroness HALE of Richmond 
The Rt Hon Madam Justice Beverley McLACHLIN 
The Rt Hon Lord SUMPTION  (w.e.f. 18.12.2019)

High Court
- Chief Judge of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice S C POON  (w.e.f. 18.12.2019)
- Justices of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice Wally YEUNG, V-P 
The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, V-P 
The Hon Mr Justice Andrew C MACRAE, V-P 
The Hon Madam Justice Susan KWAN, V-P  (w.e.f. 1.4.2019)
The Hon Mr Justice Peter CHEUNG, JA 
The Hon Madam Justice Maria C YUEN, JA 
The Hon Madam Justice Susan KWAN, JA  (up to 31.3.2019)
The Hon Madam Justice Carlye CHU, JA  
The Hon Mr Justice Aarif T BARMA, JA 
The Hon Mr Justice Ian C McWALTERS, JA 
The Hon Mr Justice S C POON, JA  (up to 17.12.2019)
The Hon Mr Justice Derek PANG, JA 
The Hon Mr Justice Kevin P ZERVOS, JA 
The Hon Mr Justice H C AU, JA  (w.e.f. 14.1.2019)
- Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHUNG, SBS #
The Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG, GBS 
The Hon Mrs Justice Judianna W L BARNES 
The Hon Madam Justice Maggie POON 
The Hon Mr Justice H C AU  (up to 13.1.2019)
The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS 
The Hon Mr Justice Mohan T BHARWANEY 
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 
The Hon Mr Justice Peter NG 
The Hon Madam Justice Anthea PANG 
The Hon Mr Justice Anderson CHOW 
The Hon Madam Justice B. CHU 
The Hon Mr Justice David LOK 
The Hon Mr Justice Joseph YAU 
The Hon Mr Justice Albert WONG 
The Hon Mrs Justice Audrey P CAMPBELL-MOFFAT 
The Hon Madam Justice Susana M D'ALMADA REMEDIOS  
The Hon Mr Justice Wilson CHAN 
The Hon Madam Justice K Y WONG 
The Hon Mr Justice S T POON  (w.e.f. 14.1.2019)
The Hon Madam Justice Marlene NG  (w.e.f. 14.1.2019)
The Hon Mr Justice W T LEE  (w.e.f. 14.1.2019)
The Hon Mr Justice Russell A COLEMAN  (w.e.f. 2.4.2019)
The Hon Mr Justice Keith YEUNG  (w.e.f. 29.7.2019)
The Hon Madam Justice C F CHAN  (w.e.f. 18.12.2019)
- Recorders of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Mr POW Wing-nin, Jason, SC  
Mr COLEMAN Russell Adam, SC  (up to 28.2.2019)
Mr HOUGHTON Anthony Kenneth, SC 
Ms TAM Wan-chi, Winnie, SC 
Mr WONG Kai-ming, Stewart, SC 
Ms CHAN Ching-fan, Linda, SC  (up to 17.12.2019)
Mr FUNG Ting-sek, Eugene, SC 
Mr MANZONI Charles Peter, SC 
Ms CHENG Wai-sum, Yvonne, SC 
- Registrar, High Court
Mr KWANG Cheok-weung, Simon 
- Senior Deputy Registrar, High Court
Mr HO Chi-yin, Andy 
# Retired in 2019

District Court
- Chief District Judge
His Honour Judge S T POON  (up to 13.1.2019)
- Principal Family Court Judge
His Honour Judge C K CHAN  (w.e.f. 14.1.2019)
- District Judges
Her Honour Judge Marlene NG  (up to 13.1.2019)
His Honour Judge Michael WONG 
His Honour Judge Stanley CHAN 
His Honour Judge C M LEUNG 
Her Honour Judge Sharon D MELLOY 
His Honour Judge Eddie YIP 
Her Honour Judge Katina LEVY 
His Honour Judge C K CHAN  (up to 13.1.2019)
His Honour Judge Frankie YIU 
His Honour Judge K W WONG 
His Honour Judge Justin KO 
His Honour Judge Douglas YAU 
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  (up to 13.1.2019)
His Honour Judge Harold LEONG  
His Honour Judge Kent YEE  
His Honour Judge Roy YU  
His Honour Judge C P PANG 
His Honour Judge Timothy H CASEWELL 
His Honour Judge Simon LO 
His Honour Judge S L TAM 
Her Honour Judge Angela KOT 
His Honour Judge Reuden LAI 
His Honour Judge George OWN 
Her Honour Judge Y F CHAN 
His Honour Judge L W WONG 
His Honour Judge M K LIU  
His Honour Judge Edmond LEE 
Her Honour Judge Winnie TSUI 
His Honour Judge Clement LEE 
His Honour Judge Ernest M LIN  (w.e.f. 21.8.2019)
Her Honour Judge Adriana N TSE CHING  (w.e.f. 21.8.2019)
His Honour Judge K K PANG  (w.e.f. 21.8.2019)
His Honour Judge K C CHAN  (w.e.f. 8.10.2019)
Her Honour Judge Phoebe MAN  (w.e.f. 8.10.2019)

Lands Tribunal
- Members, Lands Tribunal
Mr PANG Ho-chuen, Lawrence 
Mr NG Siu-lam, Alex 

Magistrates' Courts and other Tribunals
- Principal Magistrates
Mr LIN Kam-hung, Ernest Michael  (up to 20.8.2019)
Mr CHOW Siu-wo, Anthony #
Mr TAM Lee-cheung #
Ms CHAINRAI Bina 
Mr LAW Tak-chuen, Peter 
Ms WOO Huey-fang, Bernadette #
Mr LUI Kin-man, Simon 
Mr HO Chin-pang, Dick 
Mr SO Wai-tak 
- Magistrates
Mrs TSE CHING Adriana Noelle  (up to 20.8.2019)
Miss YIM Shun-yee, Ada 
Mr MAK Kwok-cheung 
Mr TO Ho-shing 
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  (up to 20.8.2019)
Mr YIP Sue-pui, Lawrence 
Mr WAN Siu-ming, Jason 
Miss CHUI Yee-mei, Ivy 
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  
Miss NG Chung-yee, Debbie 
Ms HEUNG Shuk-han, Veronica 
Ms TO Kit-ling, Doris 
Ms SHUI Kelly 
Ms CHENG Kam-lin, Catherine 
Mr CHAN Ping-chau, Kenneth 
Mr LEE Siu-ho 
Mr CHOW Chi-wei, Raymund 
Ms CHU Yuen-yee 
Mr CHAN David 
Ms WONG Nga-yan, Peony 
Mr WONG Sze-cheung, Colin 
Ms SO Ka-yin, Rita  
Miss LEE Kar-lok, Jacqueline 
Mr HO Chun-yiu 
Ms SOONG Wing-sum 
Ms LEUNG Ka-kie  
Ms TSUI May-har, Stephanie  
Ms LEUNG Siu-ling  
Mr IP Kai-leung, Jacky  
Mr PANG Leung-ting  
Ms CHUNG Ming-sun, May  
Miss CHAN Lo-yee, Louise  
Mr WONG Ching-yu, Edward  
Mr LAM Tsz-kan  
Mr LEUNG Man-liang, Matthew 
- Special Magistrates
Mr TAM Ka-huen #
Miss LAU Suk-han 
Mr MOK Tze-chung, Andrew 
Miss LEUNG Nga-yan, Frances 
Mr YU Chun-pong 
Mr LAM Hei-wei, Arthur 
# Retired in 2019

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Court of Final Appeal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL

scroll to view full table
Caseload Disposal *
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
Applications for leave to appeal            
Criminal 65 67 67 57
(36)		 80
(35)		 41
(22)
Civil 47 127 426 68
(36)		 57
(40)		 133
(110)
Total 112 194 493 125 137 174
Substantive appeals            
Criminal 11 29 8 13 25 15
Civil 15 11 8 18 11 7
Total 26 40 16 31 36 22
Miscellaneous proceedings 0 0 0 0 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

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Average Waiting Time (days)
Target 2017 2018 2019
Applications for leave to appeal        
From notice of hearing to hearing        
Criminal 45 44 43 44
Civil 35 33 35 34
Substantive appeals        
From notice of hearing to hearing        
Criminal 100 90 98 98
Civil 120 118 111 113

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels



High Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE HIGH COURT

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Caseload Disposal *
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
Court of Appeal
Appellate
Criminal
Appeals from the Court of First Instance
179 177 165 160 169 146
Appeals from the District Court
237 205 206 206 211 230
Sub-total 416 382 371 366 380 376
Civil
Appeals from the Court of First Instance
264 580 560 193 478 526
Appeals from the District Court
16 14 12 11 17 13
Miscellaneous Appeals
18 17 25 20 12 21
Sub-total 298 611 597 224 507 560
Review of Sentences
Criminal
Reviews from the Court of First Instance
0 0 0 2 0 0
Reviews from the District Court
2 5 4 4 2 4
Reviews from the Magistrates' Courts
2 1 1 3 0 1
Sub-total 4 6 5 9 2 5
Total 718 999 973 599 889 941
Miscellaneous Proceedings+ 83 204 321 39 178 203
* Case disposal refers to appeals/reviews which have been allowed, dismissed, withdrawn, discontinued or abandoned with or without court order
+ A new case type created to capture criminal and civil miscellaneous matters before the Court of Appeal with effect from 1 July 2017. Its caseload was formerly subsumed under High Court Miscellaneous Proceedings and categorized under civil jurisdiction of the Court of First Instance
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Caseload Disposal *
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
Court of First Instance
Appellate
Criminal
Appeals from Magistrates' Courts 659 620 603 719 555 585
Civil
Appeals from Labour Tribunal 45 30 23 30 27 21
Appeals from Small Claims Tribunal 66 63 45 43 56 43
Appeals from Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board 5 3 4 5 1 5
Miscellaneous Appeals 3 3 4 5 5 2
Sub-total 119 99 76 83 89 71
Total 778 719 679 802 644 656
First Instance
Criminal Jurisdiction
Criminal Cases 449 421 424 519 433 446
Confidential Miscellaneous Proceedings 382 402 340 382 402 340
Application for Discharge 0 0 0 0 0 0
Miscellaneous Proceedings (Criminal)^ 374 789 684 295 686 655
Sub-total 1 205 1 612 1 448 1 196 1 521 1 441
Civil Jurisdiction
High Court Actions 3 041 3 010 2 431 1 971 1 709 1 519
Miscellaneous Proceedings@ 2 778 2 274 2 385 2 205 1 497 1 430
Bankruptcy & Companies Winding-up+ 8 880 8 550 9 272 8 838 8 359 9 227
Personal Injuries Actions 1 394 1 307 506 1 301 1 408 1 335
Other cases# 1 507 3 365 4 380 517 1 134 1 096
Sub-total 17 600 18 506 18 974 14 832 14 107 14 607
Total 18 805 20 118 20 422 16 028 15 628 16 048
Masters Chambers
Interlocutory hearings** 24 882 24 530 25 382 22 549 21 924 24 099
Taxation bills 681 638 547 527(1) 486(1) 418(1)
Probate
Applications 20 477 20 797 21 005 19 537(2) 19 886(2) 20 503(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
^ A new case type created to capture criminal miscellaneous matters before the Court of First Instance with effect from 1 July 2017. Its caseload was formerly subsumed under High Court Miscellaneous Proceedings and categorized under civil jurisdiction of the Court of First Instance
@ An existing case type revised to exclude miscellaneous matters before the Court of Appeal and criminal miscellaneous matters before the Court of First Instance with effect from 1 July 2017
+ 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, Stop Notices, Confidential Miscellaneous Proceedings (Civil) (an existing case type revised to include confidential matters in civil nature before the Court of First Instance which came into effect on 26 June 2017) and Intellectual Property (a new case type created to capture intellectual property matters before the Court of First Instance with effect from 6 May 2019. Its caseload was formerly subsumed under High Court Actions or High Court Miscellaneous Proceedings and categorized under civil jurisdiction of the Court of First Instance)
** 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

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* A new Practice Direction on criminal proceedings in the Court of First Instance of the High Court was promulgated in June 2017 to enhance management of criminal proceedings. Having regard to the new procedures under the Practice Direction, consideration is being given to review how the average waiting time for the Criminal Fixture List should be measured. In addition, the Criminal Expedited List has replaced the Criminal Running List. The way to measure the average waiting time of the Criminal Expedited List and the setting of its target are being considered in the light of the operation of the new measures

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels



Competition Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE COMPETITION TRIBUNAL

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Caseload Disposal *
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
 Application for Review 0 0 0 0 0 0
 Enforcement Action 2 1 1 0 0 0
 Action 0 2 0 0 0 0
 Miscellaneous Proceedings 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 2 3 1 0 0 0
* Case disposal refers to applications / claims which have been successfully made or dismissed

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE COMPETITION TRIBUNAL

As there are only three cases being set down for trial/substantive hearing in the Competition Tribunal, the waiting time is inapplicable. The target average waiting time will be considered when more cases are set down for trial/substantive hearing at the Tribunal

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels



District Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE DISTRICT COURT

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Caseload Disposal *
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
Criminal Jurisdiction
Criminal Cases 1 156 1 188 961 1 050 988 1 201
Civil Jurisdiction
Civil 5 815 6 067 7 053 4 893 4 649 4 977
Tax Claim 1 658 1 831 1 564 1 657 1 517 1 281
Distress for Rent 3 623 3 424 4 783 3 628 3 344 4 650
Employee's Compensation 2 939 3 038 3 046 2 804 3 008 2 869
Other civil cases + 6 515 7 093 9 496 5 799 5 709 4 792
Sub-total 20 550 21 453 25 942 18 781 18 227 18 569
Family Jurisdiction            
Matrimonial Causes 17 006 16 458 15 393 14 782 14 933 15 223
Joint Applications 6 296 6 540 6 681 4 612 5 388 5 934
Miscellaneous Proceedings 266 275 262 242 244 236
Adoption Applications 66 72 50 62 55 45
Sub-total 23 634 23 345 22 386 19 698(1) 20 620(1) 21 438(1)
Total (Civil) 44 184 44 798 48 328 38 479 38 847 40 007
Total 45 340 45 986 49 289 39 529 39 835 41 208
Masters Chambers            
Interlocutory hearings** 7 502 7 683 10 382 6 500 6 634 7 988
Taxation bills            
Divorce 1 013 941 823 905 870 766
Others 466 379 525 142 320 370
Sub-total 1 479 1 320 1 348 1 047(2) 1 190(2) 1 136(2)
Total 8 981 9 003 11 730 7 547 7 824 9 124
* 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, Estate Agents Appeals and Stop Notice Cases (a new case type created to capture stop notice cases with effect from 3 September 2018)
** 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

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Average Waiting Time (days)
Target 2017 2018 2019
Criminal - from first appearance of
defendants in District Court to hearing		 100 152 187 191
Civil Fixture List - from date of listing to hearing 120 102 95 95
Civil Running List - from not-to-be-warned date to hearing 30 25 16 21
Dissolution of marriage - from setting down of a case to hearing        
Special Procedure List 35 34 35 35
Defended List (all hearings) 110 85 111 89
Financial applications - from setting down of a case to hearing 110-140 95 90 81

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels



Lands Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL

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Caseload Disposal *
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
Appeal cases 482 313 1 472 238 370 493
Compensation cases 6 11 1 4 9 15
Building management cases 281 269 298 248 237 209
Tenancy cases 3 811 3 663 3 910 3 031 3 011 3 164
Lands compulsory sale applications 15 40 37 23 11 22
Miscellaneous proceedings applications 58 3 3 5 29 2
Total 4 653 4 299 5 721 3 549 3 667 3 905
* 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

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Average Waiting Time (days)
Target 2017 2018 2019
From setting down of a case to hearing        
Appeal cases 90 -* 20 35
Compensation cases 90 60 38 38
Building management cases 90 44 29 21
Tenancy cases 50 23 19 17
* As there is no appeal case filed, the waiting time is inapplicable

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels



Magistrates' Courts

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

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Caseload Disposal*
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
 Charge Cases 30 860 30 221 25 798 30 550 29 607 25 405
 Hawker Cases 1 963 1 628 1 216 1 965 1 626 1 204
 Departmental & Private Summonses 179 753 175 738 170 156 179 223 174 693 170 625
 Driving-Offence Points Summonses 2 333 2 240 2 277 2 213 2 251 2 218
 Fixed Penalty Summonses (Traffic) 606 532 468 617 530 526
Fixed Penalty Summonses
(Public Cleanliness and Obstruction)		 115 72 97 115 77 96
Fixed Penalty Summonses
(Smoking Offences)		 34 24 21 27 26 21
Fixed Penalty Summonses
(Vehicle Idling)		 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fixed Penalty Summonses
(Mandatory Window Inspection)		 8 13 21 5 16 19
Fixed Penalty Summonses
(Plastic Shopping Bag)		 2 0 0 3 0 0
Miscellaneous Proceedings 11 379 11 052 10 869 11 511 10 857 10 650
Departmental Notice 677 676 636 748 636 654
Fixed Penalty Notice (Traffic) 107 958 115 045 117 497 106 287 110 020 129 843
Fixed Penalty Notice
(Public Cleanliness and Obstruction)		 2 455 2 388 2 542 2 407 2 335 2 610
Fixed Penalty Notice (Smoking Offences) 823 861 723 872 870 698
Fixed Penalty Notice (Vehicle Idling) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fixed Penalty Notice
(Mandatory Window Inspection)		 11 122 425 11 79 417
Fixed Penalty Recovery Order
(Plastic Shopping Bag)		 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 338 977 340 612 332 746 336 554 333 623 344 986
* 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

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

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Average Waiting Time (days)
Target 2017 2018 2019
Summonses - from plea to date of trial 50 65 76 67
Charge cases except for Juvenile Court - from plea to date of trial        
For defendants in custody 30-45 31 47 41
For defendants on bail 45-60 40 57 51
Charge cases for Juvenile Court - from plea to date of trial
For defendants in custody 30-45 -* -* 30
For defendants on bail 45-60 48 58 58
* As there is no charge case for the Juvenile Court where the defendant is remanded in custody, the waiting time is inapplicable

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels



Labour Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL

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Caseload Disposal *
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
Claims 4 015 3 955 4 323 4 048 3 607 4 143
Reviews 86 94 78 86 89 81
Restore claims 68 43 71 62 42 59
Set-aside awards 80 88 131 78 87 113
Total 4 249 4 180 4 603 4 274 3 825 4 396
* 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

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Average Waiting Time (days)
Target 2017 2018 2019
From appointment to filing of a case 30 26 25 29
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

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Caseload Disposal*
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
 Claims 51 012 55 007 55 879 51 509 54 355 55 304
 Reviews 223 208 189 224 203 170
Total 51 235 55 215 56 068 51 733 54 558 55 474
* Case disposal refers to claims which have been made successfully or dismissed

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL

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Average Waiting Time (days)
Target 2017 2018 2019
From filing of a case to first hearing 60 32 33 36

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels



Obscene Articles Tribunal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL

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Caseload Disposal *
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
Articles for determination 0 9 073 21 081 0 9 073 21 081
 Articles for classification 174 167 82 179 168 81
Articles for review 4 0 0 2 2 0
Articles for reconsideration 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 178 9 240 21 163 181 9 243 21 162
* 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

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Average Waiting Time (days)
Target 2017 2018 2019
From referral by a magistrate to determination 21 -# 22 15
From receipt of application to classification 5 3 3 2
From receipt of application to review 35 29 -^ -^
From receipt of application to reconsideration 35 -* -* -*
# As there is no application for determination filed, the waiting time is inapplicable
^ As there is no application for review filed, the waiting time is inapplicable
* As there is no application for reconsideration filed, the waiting time is inapplicable

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Coroner's Court

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE CORONER'S COURT

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Caseload Disposal *
2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019
Death inquests with jury 124 155 106 112 152 114
Death inquests without jury 7 12 11 5 9 16
Total 131 167 117 117 161 130
  • * Case disposal refers to death inquests concluded


AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE CORONER'S COURT

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Average Waiting Time (days)
Target 2017 2018 2019
From date of listing to hearing 42 79 65 61

Membership List of the Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee


- Chairman Chief Judge, High Court
- Members The Hon Mr Justice S C POON, JA
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
(up to 31.7.2019)
The Hon Mr Justice H C AU, JA
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal 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
Registrar, District Court
His Honour Judge C M LEUNG
Master, High Court
Ms Jenny FUNG
Department of Justice
Mr Thomas Edward KWONG, JP
Legal Aid Department
Mr Paul LAM, SC
Hong Kong Bar Association
Mr Brian GILCHRIST
Law Society of Hong Kong
Mrs Cecilia WONG
Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited
Miss Emma LAU
Judiciary Administrator
- In Attendance Mrs Erika HUI
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(up to 31.10.2019)
Ms Wendy CHEUNG
Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(w.e.f. 1.11.2019)
- Secretary Ms Winnie WONG
Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)1

Membership List of the Working Party on Mediation


- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, V-P
- Members The Hon Mr Justice Barnabas FUNG, GBS
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice David LOK
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Madam Justice K Y WONG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Mr KWANG Cheok-weung, Simon
Registrar, High Court
His Honour Judge Justin KO
Acting Chief District Judge
His Honour Judge C K CHAN
Principal Family Court Judge
Mr Clifford Tavares
Department of Justice
Mr Chris CHONG
Legal Aid Department
Ms Elaine LIU
Mrs Cecilia WONG
Mr CHAN Bing-woon, SBS, JP
Professor Leung Hing-fung
- In Attendance Mrs Erika HUI
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(up to 31.10.2019)
Ms Wendy CHEUNG
Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(w.e.f. 1.11.2019)
Ms April LAM
Chief Judiciary Executive (Mediation Affairs)
- Secretary Ms Eva KONG
Mediation Co-ordinator
(up to 1.12.2019)
Mr Ernest TSANG
Mediation Co-ordinator
(w.e.f. 2.12.2019)

Membership List of the Court Users' Committees


Admiralty Court Users’ Committee (Up to 14.7.2019)
- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice Anthony CHAN
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
- Members Mr KWANG Cheok-weung, Simon
Registrar, High Court
Mr Bill AMOS
Mr Nigel BINNERSLEY
Ms Brenda CHARK
Mr Jeevan HINGORANI
Mr Andrew HORTON
Mr Jim JAMES
Mr Matthew LAM
Mr George LAMPLOUGH
Mr Damien LARACY
Mr William LEUNG
Mr Rory MACFARLANE
Mr Nicholas MALLARD
Mr Peter MILLS
Mr Chris POTTS
Mr Jason TOMS
Mr Sam TSUI
Mr Richard WILMOT
Mr Colin WRIGHT
Mr Jon W. ZINKE
Ms CHIU Shuk-man
Ag.Chief Bailiff (Administration & Admiralty)
(up to 5.5.2019)
Ms Winnie CHIM
Chief Bailiff (Administration & Admiralty)
(w.e.f. 6.5.2019)
- In Attendance Mrs Erika HUI
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
- Secretary Ms Winifred CHAN
Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)


Civil Court Users' Committee
- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, V-P
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
- Members The Hon Mr Justice S C POON, JA
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
(up to 31.7.2019)
The Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice Anderson CHOW
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Mr KWANG Cheok-weung, Simon
Registrar, High Court
His Honour Judge Justin KO
Acting Chief District Judge
Mr Francis KWAN
Department of Justice
Mr Steve WONG
Legal Aid Department
Ms Ophelia LOK
Official Receiver's Office
Mr Paul SHIEH, SC
Mr Brian W. Gilchrist
Mr Peter CHUA
- In Attendance Mrs Erika HUI
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(up to 31.10.2019)
Ms Wendy CHEUNG
Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(w.e.f. 1.11.2019)
Mr Joe CHENG
Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2
- Secretary Ms Winifred CHAN
Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)


Sub-Committee on Companies and Insolvency Matters of the Civil Court Users’ Committee (Up to 14.8.2019)
- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice Jonathan R HARRIS
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
- Members The Hon Mr Justice Peter NG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Master Reuden LAI
Master K H HUI
Mr William MF WONG, SC
Mr HO Man-kei, Keith
Mr Mat NG
Ms Agnes MAK
Ms Ophelia LOK
Official Receiver's Office
Ms Kitty TSUI
Companies Registry
- In Attendance Mrs Erika HUI
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
Mr Joe CHENG
Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2
- Secretary Ms Winifred CHAN
Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)


Criminal Court Users' Committee
- Chairman The Hon Madam Justice Anthea PANG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
- Members The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHAN
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice Albert WONG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Mr KWANG Cheok-weung, Simon
Registrar, High Court
His Honour Judge Justin KO
Acting Chief District Judge
Mr SO Wai-tak, Victor
Acting Chief Magistrate
Mr William TAM, SC
Department of Justice
Ms Juliana O Y CHAN
Legal Aid Department
Ms Grace WONG
The Duty Lawyer Service
Mr HO Kwok-keung, Simon
Independent Commission Against Corruption
Mr CHAN Wing-on, Francis
Hong Kong Police Force
Mr LEUNG Kin-ip, Kenneth
Correctional Services Department
(up to 10.5.2019)
Mr NG Chiu-kok
Correctional Services Department
(w.e.f. 11.5.2019)
Mr Graham HARRIS, SC
Mr Kenneth NG
Mr HO Yat-wan, Alec
- In Attendance Mrs Erika HUI
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(up to 31.10.2019)
Ms Wendy CHEUNG
Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(w.e.f. 1.11.2019)
Mr Calvin YAU
Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)3
- Secretary Ms Winifred CHAN
Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)


Family Proceedings Court Users' Committee
- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, V-P
Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
- Members The Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Madam Justice B. CHU
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Mr KWANG Cheok-weung, Simon
Registrar, High Court
His Honour Judge C K CHAN
Principal Family Court Judge
His Honour Judge Ivan WONG
Family Court Judge
Mr Dick HO
Registrar, District Court
(up to 14.7.2019)
Mr Simon LUI
Registrar, District Court
(w.e.f. 15.7.2019)
Ms PANG Kit-ling
Social Welfare Department
Miss CHAN Dao-kit, Doreen
Legal Aid Department
Mr LI Chi-keung, Ben
Official Solicitor's Office
Ms Corinne REMEDIOS
Mr Dennis HO
Ms Jain BROWN
- In Attendance Mrs Erika HUI
Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(up to 31.10.2019)
Ms Wendy CHEUNG
Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
(w.e.f. 1.11.2019)
Ms Jackie LUI
Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court)
(up to 10.3.2019)
Ms Jolly LAM
Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court)
(w.e.f. 11.3.2019)
- Secretary Ms Winifred CHAN
Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)


Competition Tribunal Users' Committee
- Chairman The Hon Mr Justice Godfrey LAM
President of the Competition Tribunal
- Members The Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU YEUNG
Deputy President of the Competition Tribunal
Master K H HUI
Master, High Court
Mr Francis KWAN
Department of Justice
Mr Steven PARKER
Competition Commission
Mr Benson CHENG
Communications Authority
Mr P Y LO
Mr CHAN Nicholas Hiu Fung
- Secretary Miss Priscilla WONG
Senior Judicial Clerk I (Competition Tribunal)

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


- Chairman The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA, GBM
Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal
- Members The Hon Mr Justice R A V RIBEIRO
Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
The Hon Mr Justice Frank STOCK, GBS
Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
The Hon Mr Justice Wally YEUNG
Acting Chief Judge of the High Court
The Hon Madam Justice Carlye CHU
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
The Hon Mr Justice Tony POON
Judge with special responsibility for the Executive Body of the Hong Kong Judicial Institute
His Honour Judge Justin KO
Acting Chief District Judge
Mr SO Wai-tak
Acting Chief Magistrate
Miss Emma LAU
Judiciary Administrator

Judiciary Administration


The Judiciary Administration is headed by the Judiciary Administrator, who assists the Chief Justice in the overall administration of the Judiciary. It provides support to the courts in the administration of justice and their operations.

Judiciary Administration
Miss Emma LAU , Judiciary Administrator

Operations Division
Mrs Erika HUI, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations) [up to 31.10.2019]
Ms Wendy CHEUNG, Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations) [w.e.f. 1.11.2019]
 
(a) Information Technology Office (Technical) Ms Candy CHAN Acting Chief Systems Manager (Information Technology) [up to 9.9.2019]
Ms Candy CHAN Chief Systems Manager (Information Technology) [w.e.f. 10.9.2019]
Mr Kenneth YEUNG Chief Systems Manager (Special Duties) [up to 1.3.2019]
(b) Information Technology Office (Operational) Mr Harry TSANG Acting Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Information Technology) [up to 3.1.2019]Note 1
Mr Harry TSANG Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Information Technology) [w.e.f. 4.1.2019]Note 1
(c) Operations Division Ms Nancy MAK Acting Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
Ms Winifred CHAN Chief Judiciary Executive (Operations)
(d) Support to Judges Section Ms Hedy WU Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)1
Mr Joe CHENG Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2 [up to 20.8.2019]
Mr Joe CHENG Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2 [w.e.f. 21.8.2019]
Mr Calvin YAU Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)3
(e) Clerk of Court's Office Ms Terri TANG Clerk of Court
(f) Court of Final Appeal Registry Ms Wendy CHUI Senior Judicial Clerk I (Court of Final Appeal) [up to 22.4.2019]
Ms Theresa Au Acting Senior Judicial Clerk I (Court of Final Appeal) [w.e.f. 23.4.2019]
(g) High Court Registry Ms Catherine LI Chief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry)
(h) Competition Tribunal Registry Ms Priscilla WONG Senior Judicial Clerk I (Competition Tribunal)
(i) District Court Ms Anny TAM Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Registry, District Court)
Ms Clare TSANG Chief Judicial Clerk (Courts, District Court)
(j) Family Court Registry Ms Jackie LUI Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court) [up to 10.3.2019]
Ms Jolly LAM Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court) [w.e.f. 11.3.2019]
(k) Lands Tribunal Registry Ms Elsa CHAN Chief Judicial Clerk (Lands Tribunal) [up to 29.9.2019]
Ms Amy LEUNG Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Lands Tribunal) [w.e.f. 30.9.2019]
(l) Magistrates' Courts General Office Ms Pauline KWOK Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies)
(m) Probate Registry Ms Memory WONG Chief Probate Officer
(n) Labour Tribunal Registry Ms Wendy SHUM Registrar (Labour Tribunal) [up to 22.4.2019]
Mr Jackson CHAN Registrar (Labour Tribunal) [w.e.f. 23.4.2019]
(o) Small Claims Tribunal Registry Mr Jackson CHAN Chief Judicial Clerk (Small Claims Tribunal) [up to 22.4.2019]
Ms Wendy CHUI Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Small Claims Tribunal) [w.e.f. 23.4.2019]
(p) Court Language Section Mr Brian YAU Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)1
Ms Millia TANG Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)2
Ms Patience IP Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)3
(q) Bailiff Section Ms S M CHIU Acting Chief Bailiff (Administration and Admiralty) [up to 5.5.2019]
Ms FL CHIM Chief Bailiff (Administration and Admiralty) [w.e.f. 6.5.2019]
Ms F L CHIM Chief Bailiff (Operations) [up to 5.5.2019]
Mr T S YU Acting Chief Bailiff (Operations) [from 6.5.2019 to 2.7.2019]
Mr T S YU Chief Bailiff (Operations) [w.e.f. 3.7.2019]
(r) Mediation Section Ms April LAM Senior Mediation Affairs Officer [up to 31.7.2019]
Ms April LAM Chief Judiciary Executive (Mediation Affairs) [w.e.f. 1.8.2019]
Ms Eva KONG Mediation Affairs Officer (2) [temporarily sharing the duties of Mediation Coordinator up to 21.1.2019]
Ms Eva KONG Acting Mediation Coordinator [from 22.1.2019 to 24.11.2019]
Mr Ernest TSANG Acting Mediation Coordinator [w.e.f. 2.12.2019]
(s) Information Technology Office (Technical) Mr Kenneth CHAN Senior Systems Manager (1)
Mr Jones TAM Acting Senior Systems Manager (2)
Mr Kelly LAU Senior Systems Manager (3) [up to 10.6.2019]
Mr Alex LEE Acting Senior Systems Manager (3) [from 11.6.2019 to 26.6.2019]
Mr Alex LEE Senior Systems Manager (3) [w.e.f. 27.6.2019]
Mr Alex LEE Acting Senior Systems Manager (4) [up to 10.6.2019]
Mr Gordon WONG Systems Manager (7) [temporarily sharing the duties of Senior Systems Manager(4) from 11.6.2019 to 21.7.2019]
Mr Wilson WONG Systems Manager (6) [temporarily sharing the duties of Senior Systems Manager(4) from 22.7.2019 to 19.9.2019]
Mr Gordon WONG Systems Manager (7) [temporarily sharing the duties of Senior Systems Manager(4) from 20.9.2019 to 28.10.2019]
Mr Alex TAI Acting Senior Systems Manager (4) [w.e.f. 29.10.2019]
(t) Information Technology Office (Operational) Mr Brian CHIU Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)
Ms Eva LEE Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)1
Ms Carol FUNG Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)2
Ms Mimi HO Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)3 [up to 22.4.2019]
Ms Wendy SHUM Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)3 [w.e.f. 23.4.2019]
Mr Barry LEE Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)4

Development Division
Ms Patricia SO, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development)
 
(a) Development Office Ms Wendy CHEUNG Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)1 [up to 31.10.2019]
Ms Winnie WONG Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)1 [w.e.f. 1.11.2019]
Mr David LAU Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)(Special Duties) [up to 31.1.2019]
Mr David LAU Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)2 [w.e.f. 1.2.2019]
(b) Press & Public Relations Office Ms Daisy KWOK Principal Information Officer [up to 1.7.2019]
Ms Daisy KWOK Acting Chief Information Officer (Judiciary) [w.e.f. 2.7.2019]
(c) Secretariat for Complaints against Judicial Conduct Ms Vivian WAH Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Secretariat for Complaints against Judicial Conduct)

Quality Division
Mr Harry TSANG, Acting Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Information Technology) [up to 3.1.2019]
Mr Harry TSANG, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Information Technology) [w.e.f. 4.1.2019]
 
(a) Complaints Office Ms Crystal LEE Senior Judiciary Executive (Complaints) [up to 7.7.2019]
Mr Vincent NG Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Complaints) [w.e.f. 8.7.2019]
(b) Digital Audio Recording and Transcription Services SectionNote 2 Ms Peggy Lai Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Digital Audio Recording and Transcription Services) [w.e.f. 17.12.2019]
(c) Legal Reference and Library Section Ms Miranda FUNG Senior Judiciary Executive (Legal Reference and Library)
(d) Management Review and Information SectionNote 3 Ms Prudence CHAN Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Management Review and Information) [up to 17.4.2019]Note 3
Ms Prudence CHAN Chief Judiciary Executive (Management Review and Information) [w.e.f. 18.4.2019]

Corporate Services Division
Mrs Connie NGAN, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Corporate Services) [up to 15.5.2019]
Mr Jock TAM, Acting Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Corporate Services) [w.e.f. 16.5.2019]
 
(a) Project Planning and Accommodation Section Mr Francis CHENG Acting Principal Executive Officer (Project Planning and Accommodation) [up to 3.1.2019]
Mr Francis CHENG Principal Executive Officer (Project Planning and Accommodation) [w.e.f. 4.1.2019]
(b) Finance Section Mr Raymond NG Chief Treasury Accountant [up to 22.4.2019]
Mr Desmond LAM Acting Chief Treasury Accountant [w.e.f. 23.4.2019]
(c) Judges and Judicial Officers Section Ms Queenie LEUNG Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers) [up to 7.1.2019]
Ms Queenie LEUNG Chief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers) [w.e.f. 8.1.2019]
(d) Support Staff Section Ms Ivy TANG Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Staff)

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: Section renamed from Court Reporters Office to Digital Audio Recording and Transcription Services Section since 17.12.2019.
Note 3: Post re-titled from Chief Judiciary Executive (Management Review) to Chief Judiciary Executive (Management Review and Information) w.e.f. 1.4.2019 upon merging of the Management Review Section and the Management Information Section to form a new section named the Management Review and Information Section since 1.4.2019.

Judicial Training


Local Judicial Training Activities Organised by the Hong Kong Judicial Institute
Date Activity
Sep 2018 – Jan 2019, May – Sep 2019 & Dec 2019 Chinese judgment writing courses
Oct 2018 – Feb 2019 Putonghua courses
23.1.2019 Talk entitled “Understanding the New Penalty Provisions for Wildlife Crime” by Mr Mark FENHALLS QC and Associate Professor Amanda WHITFORT, Faculty of Law at University of Hong Kong and online training modules on wildlife crime by Associate Professor Amanda WHITFORT, Faculty of Law at University of Hong Kong
1.2.2019 Talk on Chinese customary law for District Judges by the Hon Mr Justice Louis CHAN, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
27.2, 30.4, 11.7, 27.8, 4.11 & 9.12.2019 Induction briefings for Deputy Magistrates / Adjudicators
15.3.2019 Seminar on Skills in meeting with Children
29.3, 10.5 & 23.8.2019 Sentencing workshops for Magistrates
29.4, 16.9 & 17.9.2019 Intervisioning sessions of Case Management workshop
25.5.2019 Talk on wildlife crime
24.6.2019 Sentencing Workshop and Reasons for Sentence for District Judges by the Hon Mr Justice ZERVOS, Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal of the High Court
8.7, 15.7, 5.8, 12.8, 19.8 & 26.8.2019 Training courses on Chinese Input Method
10.7.2019 Course on E-bundle for Actual Hearing
11.7.2019 Sharing Session on External Mediation Master Scheme
19.7.2019 Case Management workshop for Magistrates
13.9.2019 Workshop on Delivery of Oral Decisions
18.11 & 25.11.2019 Training courses on Legal Research
21.11.2019 Follow-up training on E-bundle for Actual Hearing
22.11.2019 Workshop on call-over hearings at tribunals
25.11.2019 Workshop on case management for District Court Masters
29.11.2019 Talk on Defamation for District Judges by the Hon Mr Justice LOK, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
12.12.2019 Talk entitled “Judges and the Public: Ivory Tower or Engaged Actors” by The Rt Hon Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin, Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal


Other Local Judicial Training Activities Attended by Judges and Judicial Officers
Date Activity
25 – 26.1.2019 Towering Judges Conference, organised by the Chinese University of Hong Kong
27.3.2019 Talk entitled “Fiduciaries and their Principals: Business Opportunities & Competition. A short Survey with some Observations”, organised by the Hong Kong Bar Association
4.4.2019 A Sharing Session on Custodians of Intellectual Property, organised by the University of Hong Kong
24.6.2019 Workshop entitled “Healthcare Alternative Dispute Resolution”, organised by the University of Hong Kong
16.7.2019 Talk entitled “Animals Make a Better World”, organised by the University of Hong Kong
17.9.2019 Seminar entitled “Conflict of fundamental rights and the double proportionality test” by the Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, organised by the University of Hong Kong
20.9.2019 Talk entitled “Should we sue doctors?”, organised by the University of Hong Kong
28.11.2019 Seminar entitled “Reclaiming 'Privacy': The Adulteration of a Fundamental Right”, co-organized by the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong


Judicial Training Activities Organised with/by Other Jurisdictions/Organisations
Date Activity
27 – 28.2.2019 Judgment Writing and Oral Judgment Programme in Singapore, organised by the Singapore Judicial College
20 – 21.3.2019 Assessing Credibility of Witnesses Programme in Singapore, organised by the Singapore Judicial College
2 – 21.6.2019 Intensive Study Programme for Judicial Educators in Canada, organised by the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute

Number of Visits and Visitors to the Judiciary


2018 2019
Local
No. of visits 260 293
No. of visitors 8 128 9 254
The Mainland
No. of visits 50 26
No. of visitors 1 180 541
Overseas
No. of visits 29 18
No. of visitors 345 206
Total
No. of visits 339 337
No. of visitors 9 653 10 001

Number of Visitors
Category of Visitors 2018 2019
Judges and legal profession 470 418
Government officials 460 104
Students and others 8 723 9 479
Total 9 653 10 001

Expenditure and Revenue of the Judiciary in 2018-19



Recurrent Expenditure
2018-2019 ($' 000)
- Personal Emoluments 1,243,378
- Departmental Expenses 540,406
- Other Charges 12,594
Total 1,796,378

Revenue*
2018-2019 ($' 000)
- Fees & Charges 186,987
- Fines 277,300
- Forfeitures & Others 520,556
Total 984,843

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

Complaints against Judges and Judicial Officers


Number of Complaints Disposed of by the Chief Justice and the Court Leaders Nature of Complaints 2019 Total
Judicial / Statutory Decision Judicial Conduct Both Judicial / Statutory Decision and Judicial Conduct Dissatisfaction with the Court Leader’s handling and / or findings of the original complaints
Chief Justice 4 0 0 5 9
Chief Judge of the High Court 38 0 2 NA 40
Chief District Judge 14 0 2 NA 16
Chief Magistrate 2971 0 6 NA 303
Sub-total 353 0 10 5 368
Notes:
1. Includes 240 complaints relating to the judicial decision of one court case.
2. The total number of cases filed in 2019 is 513,148.
3. Complaints related to judicial conduct can be broadly classified according to their nature. Among complaints on judicial conduct above, 2 cases are related to attitude and behavior in court, 4 cases are related to handling of actual proceedings in court, and 4 cases are related to mixed nature.
4. There is no justified case among the complaints above.

Complaints against the Judiciary Administration



Nature of Complaints 2019*
- Complaints about procedures 15
- Complaints about facilities 3
- Complaints about the judicial support services 63
- Complaints against staff of the Judiciary Administration 39
Total 120

* Oral complaints included

Last Update Date : 26-02-2020