This Report provides an overview of the major events of the Judiciary in 2020. This also marks for me the last annual report of the Judiciary before my retirement as Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal.

The year of 2020 has been an extraordinary year for the Judiciary. The onset of the COVID-19 epidemic of course brought about unprecedented challenges but also presented opportunities. In light of the evolving public health situation, the Judiciary had been adjusting court business in various practicable ways, striking a balance between public health risks and administration of justice. The Judiciary adjourned all court proceedings (except urgent and essential hearings) for three months from 29 January to 3 May 2020. This came to be known as GAP (General Adjourned Period). Following GAP, the Judiciary then adopted appropriate social distancing measures (mainly for crowd control and compressing people flow) to ensure that courts can continue to carry on business as safely as circumstances permit. Where necessary, there was spacing out of court proceedings and hearings while opening hours of registries and accounts offices were adjusted. The Judiciary will remain flexible to conduct its business as efficiently as possible and as safely as circumstances require.

The epidemic provided the opportunity for the Judiciary to make greater use of technology in dealing with court business through alternative modes, alongside measures to make more flexible use of court premises and engagement of temporary judicial manpower. During the year, hearings took place by telephone, by video-conferencing or similar means with visual aid. A “browser-based” video conferencing facility option was also introduced in January 2021.

The year saw the passing of the Court Proceedings (Electronic Technology) Ordinance (Cap. 638) which provides for the electronic handling of court-related documents. This is a major step to implement the Judiciary's Information Technology Strategy Plan which will improve the efficiency of court operations in reducing paper use. Separately, the legislative amendments to the High Court Ordinance (Cap. 4), commencing in mid-January 2021, will facilitate the efficient handling of the increasing number of appeal cases in the High Court and the Court of Final Appeal, including especially judicial review applications in non-refoulement claims.

I would like to express heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Judiciary to Miss Emma LAU on her retirement from the post of the Judiciary Administrator in mid-July 2020 for her dedicated service during the past 15 years. We welcome Ms Esther LEUNG who succeeded Miss LAU to lead the Judiciary Administration.

I will be retiring on 11 January 2021 upon reaching the retirement age of 65. In March 2020, the Chief Executive accepted the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission to appoint the Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, as the next Chief Justice. Following the endorsement of the Legislative Council in June 2020, the appointment will take effect from 11 January 2021.

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. I wish everyone the very best in the years to come.

Geoffrey Ma
Chief Justice

Review of 2020


Following tradition, the year began with the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year on 13 January. The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA spoke about the importance of understanding how the law operates and is expected to operate in order to embrace the concept of the rule of law, with particular reference to the events that took place in the latter half of 2019. He emphasized that while the Basic Law and the Bill of Rights set out the rights and freedoms of individuals, there are clear limits to the exercise of such so as not to affect adversely to an unacceptable level the enjoyment by others of their rights. Furthermore, he said that the administration of justice has as its central characteristic the requirement of a fair trial. In a criminal case setting, the fairness of a trial means fairness to all sides, both to the prosecution and to the defence, and the court will at all times ensure that a fair trial takes place. The Chief Justice expressed that the proper administration of justice depends on judges discharging the duties and responsibilities incumbent on them. In this regard, judges do not have the duty to achieve a certain result in accordance with popular wishes. Judges look only to the letter of the law and to the spirit of the law, and nothing else.

The Chief Justice mentioned that he would retire upon reaching retirement age in January 2021. He took the opportunity to thank judges, judicial officers and staff in the Judiciary for giving him unwavering support and showing dedication in the face of unprecedented challenges. He also reiterated his commitment to the rule of law and appealed to the community to preserve and treasure it.

Facing Challenges from COVID-19 epidemic

In 2020, the Judiciary was fraught with unprecedented challenges arising from the COVID-19 epidemic. From 29 January to 3 May 2020, in view of public health considerations, the Judiciary generally adjourned court proceedings (“the General Adjourned Period” (“GAP”)) with the exception of urgent and essential business. In March 2020, the Chief Justice issued a statement to reassure the public that the Judiciary had been doing its best to cope with the disruptions to court operations. He explained that the Judiciary had been urgently exploring further ways to increase court services during the GAP without compromising the health and safety of court users, staff and judges. The Judiciary had also been promoting the greater use of technology as long as it was considered feasible and permissible under the relevant court rules and procedures. Following the GAP in May 2020, we resumed court business in an incremental and orderly manner, while putting in place appropriate social distancing and crowd management measures corresponding to the evolving public health risks. The administration of justice is an essential public service. Having capitalized from the experience of the GAP and the social distancing measures in face of the epidemic, we managed to carry on court business (with adjustments to capacity where necessary) as safely as circumstances permit.

In September 2020, in view of the number of commentaries, opinions and criticisms that had been made in relation to various decisions of the courts and judges, the Chief Justice issued a statement to explain some fundamental principles regarding the administration of justice in Hong Kong, with particular emphasis on criminal cases. The Chief Justice stressed that the constitutional duty of judges, in the exercise of judicial power, was strictly to apply the law and nothing else. Such duty did not involve judges deciding political matters or controversies. It follows that judges must not be influenced by political considerations of whatever nature. The Chief Justice stressed that there are some basic principles in the handling of a criminal case that must also be borne in mind, including the requirement of a fair trial, the presumption of innocence, the requirement that the burden is on the prosecution to prove that an accused committed a crime beyond reasonable doubt before there can be a conviction and the right to an appeal. The Chief Justice affirmed that courts and judges are not above criticism but criticisms must be informed, solidly based and properly made; otherwise it would be detrimental to public confidence in the administration of justice and ultimately to the rule of law in Hong Kong. The Chief Justice also reiterated that there must not be a politicisation of the Judiciary and its functions.

Enhancing Transparency

In accordance with the principle of open justice, all court hearings, save for some very limited exceptions (e.g. involving children), are open to the public. Judgments, reasons for verdict and reasons for sentence for District Court and above are also available on the Judiciary website. All this ensures transparency.

In 2020, the Judiciary announced additional transparency measures to enhance public understanding about its operations.

Starting from October 2020, summaries of selected decisions in the District Court and Magistrates' Courts which are of public interest were uploaded onto the Judiciary website as far as practicable.

Separately, as from July 2020, as far as complaints against judicial conduct are concerned, where there are a large number of identical or similar complaints, the Secretariat for Complaints against Judicial Conduct will post on the Judiciary website the substance of the complaints, the outcome of investigations together with the underlying reasons.

Appointment of Judges and Judicial Officers

Various judicial appointments were made in the year 2020. These include the appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG as the next Chief Justice with effect from 11 January 2021; the appointment of the Right Hon Lord Patrick HODGE as a Non-Permanent Judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal with effect from 1 January 2021; the appointment of His Honour Judge Justin KO as the Chief District Judge; and the appointment of Mr SO Wai-tak as the Chief Magistrate, both with effect from 6 January 2020.

Appointment of Judiciary Administrator

Ms Esther LEUNG has been appointed to the post of Judiciary Administrator with effect from 20 July 2020. She succeeded Miss Emma LAU, who proceeded on pre-retirement leave on 16 July 2020.

Greater Use of Information Technology (“IT”)

During the GAP when physical attendance in court premises and contact were minimized, and gathering of crowds avoided, the Judiciary took a proactive approach in making greater use of IT to support and facilitate the conduct of court business.

The Judiciary has been developing by phases an integrated court case management system (“iCMS”) across all levels of court to enable the electronic handling of court-related documents and payments. The passing of the Court Proceedings (Electronic Technology) Ordinance in July 2020 will further facilitate this. We will therefore be able to continue to improve the efficiency of litigation and reduce the use of paper. Subject to the enactment of some further subsidiary legislation, the iCMS will first be implemented at the District Court and part of the Magistrates’ Courts. This will subsequently be extended to other levels of court.

With support from the legal profession and relevant stakeholders, the Judiciary has already introduced administrative measures to enable the handling of certain documents by electronic means while at the same time ensuring security in the use of information technology. These include the creation of special email accounts to enable parties to lodge documents to the court electronically for paper disposal and the extension of the existing electronic submission platform in the District Court to the High Court, the Family Court and the Lands Tribunal.

The Judiciary made greater use of remote hearings for suitable civil cases, using video-conferencing facilities (“VCF”) and also having hearings conducted by phone. Two guidance notes were issued in April and June 2020 setting out the practice and arrangements for conducting remote hearings in civil proceedings (including trials) in the High Court, Competition Tribunal, District Court and Family Court. A cost-effective technical option involving VCF software was made available to court users in mid-June 2020. In December 2020, an additional guidance note was issued to set out further guidance for the practice for remote hearings in civil cases, including extending the use of VCF to the Labour Tribunal and Small Claims Tribunal, as well as introducing the use of a “browser-based” VCF option from 2 January 2021. The latter provided a low-cost option whereby court users would only need a normal computer (not a mobile device) with a camera function, etc. to connect to the court for VCF hearings. This new option would greatly expand the number of court hearings which can be conducted remotely. It would also facilitate the use of VCF facilities by litigants-in-person (LIPs). The Judiciary has also been planning to introduce legislative changes to enable remote hearings to take place in criminal cases.

Caseload

In 2020, the GAP and the subsequent resumption of court business with reduced capacity and social distancing measures affected court proceedings and court business. Owing to the need to refix hearings, the average court waiting times in some levels of court inevitably lengthened. There was a reduction of approximately 25% in a few case types owing to the GAP, but the reduction in others was less significant.

Following the implementation of contingency and social distancing measures in light of the changing public health situation, the overall capacity of the courts was inevitably reduced, thus affecting court proceedings and court business. That said, efforts were made to handle as many cases as possible through flexible use of court premises, dealing with cases remotely or making determinations on the papers. Meanwhile, to address the heavy work pressure at all levels of court, the Judiciary launched a new round of recruitment exercises for judges and judicial officers starting at the end 2020. The Judiciary also continued to make use of temporary judicial resources to help maintain judicial manpower as and when required at different levels of court.

In addition to the passing of the Court Proceedings (Electronic Technology) Ordinance, legislative amendments to the High Court Ordinance (Cap. 4) to streamline procedures of the High Court were also passed. The amendments will facilitate a more efficient processing of cases, including particularly the increasing number of judicial review involving non-refoulement claims.

Complaints against Judicial Conduct

In 2020, we saw a significant increase in the number of complaints against judges and judicial officers. The upsurge stemmed mainly from the large number of identical or similar complaints relating to court decisions dealing with social events. Such decisions involved the conviction or acquittal of defendants, sentencing or the grant or refusal of bail and other matters.

As stated earlier (under “Enhancing Transparency”), measures were taken to enhance transparency and to enable the more efficient handling of complaints.

Boards and Committees

The Chief Justice appointed judges and judicial officers and invited representatives from the legal profession and relevant government departments to sit on a number of boards and committees relating 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, Family Proceedings Court Users’ Committee, Competition Tribunal Users’ Committee, and the Governing Body of the Hong Kong Judicial Institute.

Visits to the Judiciary

In view of the public health situation, visits to the Judiciary have been suspended since February 2020.

You are cordially invited to visit our Photo Gallery for various memorable moments of the Judiciary in 2020.

Highlights of Events in 2020


January
6 His Honour Judge Justin KO was appointed Chief District Judge
6 Mr SO Wai-tak was appointed Chief Magistrate
6 Miss LAU Suk-han, Mr Andrew MOK Tze-chung, Miss Frances LEUNG Nga-yan and Mr Arthur LAM Hei-wei were appointed Permanent Magistrates
13 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA officiated at the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2020
13 A five-member delegation led by Mr YANG Wanming, Vice-President of the Supreme People's Court, attended the Ceremonial Opening of the 2020 Legal Year

April
20 Ms Monica CHOW Wai-choo, Ms CHAK Kwok-yee, Mr LAM Chak-ming, Ms Eleanor YEUNG Yee-na, Miss Jo SIU Chi-wan, Mr LUNG Gwun-ting, Miss Minnie WAT Lai-man, Mr Peter YU Chun-cheung and Mr Jeffrey SZE Cho-yiu were appointed Permanent Magistrates

May
31 The terms of office of the Hon Mr Justice Robert FRENCH and the Rt Hon Lord REED of Allermuir, Non-Permanent Judges from other common law jurisdictions of the Court of Final Appeal, were extended for a period of three years

June
24 The Chief Executive signed the instrument of appointment of the Hon Mr Justice Andrew Cheung as the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal with effect from January 11, 2021, and reported the appointment to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for the record, completing the relevant legal procedures for the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal
29 Miss Ada YIM Shun-yee, Mr Don SO Man-lung and Miss Ivy CHUI Yee-mei were appointed Principal Magistrates
29 Mr Dominic PUN Wang-hon was appointed Permanent Magistrate
30 The term of office of the Rt Hon the Lord COLLINS of Mapesbury, Non-Permanent Judge from another common law jurisdiction of the Court of Final Appeal, was extended for a period of three years

July
11 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA adjudicated the final round of the 9th Hong Kong Human Rights Moot

October
23 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered opening remarks at the session of “Hong Kong and its Role in International Arbitration” of the Alternative Dispute Resolution in Asia Conference: Redesigning International Arbitration
27 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered a speech at the International Academy of Mediators – The Hong Kong Mediation Council Symposium

November
2 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered a speech at the Opening of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2020 cum Opening of the Hong Kong Legal Hub and Launch of Vision 2030 for Rule of Law. The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, and the Hon Mr Justice Johnson LAM, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal of the High Court, also attended
3 The Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, delivered closing remarks at the Inaugural Rule of Law Congress
10 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA attended the International Bar Association 2020 - Virtually Together Conference
17 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA, the Hon Mr Justice Andrew CHEUNG, Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal, and the Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON, Chief Judge of the High Court, attended the Basic Law 30th Anniversary Legal Summit
19 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA was conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 51st Congregation of the Lingnan University. The Chief Justice delivered a speech on behalf of the honorary doctorates at the congregation
23 The Hon Mr Justice Russell A COLEMAN, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, attended the 1st Belt and Road Webinar titled “Look beyond COVID-19: Connect and Unite through Belt and Road and LawTech” organized by the Law Society of Hong Kong
26 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA delivered a speech at a speaker event of the Oxford Union

December
13 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA attended the Ceremony on the Nanjing Massacre National Memorial Day
23 The Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey MA attended the Opening Ceremony of Law Week and Teen Talk 2020

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, GBS 
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  (up to 29.6.2020)
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 of Allermuir 
The Rt Hon the Baroness HALE of Richmond 
The Rt Hon Madam Justice Beverley McLACHLIN 
The Rt Hon Lord SUMPTION 
* Left service in 2020

High Court
- Chief Judge of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice S C POON 
- 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 
The Hon Mr Justice Peter CHEUNG, JA 
The Hon Madam Justice Maria C YUEN, JA 
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 Derek PANG, JA 
The Hon Mr Justice Kevin P ZERVOS, JA 
The Hon Mr Justice H C AU, JA 
- Judges of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
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 Jonathan R HARRIS 
The Hon Mr Justice Mohan T BHARWANEY, SBS #
The Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG 
The Hon Mr Justice Patrick LI #
The Hon Madam Justice Esther TOH  
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 
The Hon Madam Justice Marlene NG 
The Hon Mr Justice W T LEE 
The Hon Mr Justice Russell A COLEMAN 
The Hon Mr Justice Keith YEUNG 
The Hon Madam Justice C F CHAN 
- Recorders of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Mr POW Wing-nin, Jason, SC  
Mr HOUGHTON Anthony Kenneth, SC 
Ms TAM Wan-chi, Winnie, SBS, SC, JP 
Mr WONG Kai-ming, Stewart, SC 
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 2020

District Court
- Chief District Judge
His Honour Judge Justin KO  (w.e.f. 6.1.2020)
- Principal Family Court Judge
His Honour Judge C K CHAN 
- District Judges
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 Frankie YIU 
His Honour Judge K W WONG 
His Honour Judge Justin KO  (up to 5.1.2020)
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 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 
Her Honour Judge Adriana N TSE CHING 
His Honour Judge K K PANG 
His Honour Judge K C CHAN 
Her Honour Judge Phoebe MAN 

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

Magistrates' Courts and other Tribunals
- Chief Magistrate
Mr SO Wai-tak  (w.e.f. 6.1.2020)
- Principal Magistrates
Ms CHAINRAI Bina 
Mr LAW Tak-chuen, Peter 
Mr LUI Kin-man, Simon 
Mr HO Chin-pang, Dick 
Mr SO Wai-tak  (up to 5.1.2020)
Miss YIM Shun-yee, Ada  (w.e.f. 29.6.2020)
Mr SO Man-lung, Don  (w.e.f. 29.6.2020)
Miss CHUI Yee-mei, Ivy  (w.e.f. 29.6.2020)
- Magistrates
Miss YIM Shun-yee, Ada  (up to 28.6.2020)
Mr MAK Kwok-cheung 
Mr TO Ho-shing 
Mr CHEANG Kei-hong 
Mr SO Man-lung, Don  (up to 28.6.2020)
Mr WONG Kwok-fai, Raymond 
Ms CHAN Wai-mun 
Miss CHOW Pok-fun, Josephine 
Mr YIP Sue-pui, Lawrence 
Mr WAN Siu-ming, Jason 
Miss CHUI Yee-mei, Ivy  (up to 28.6.2020)
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 
Miss LAU Suk-han  (w.e.f. 6.1.2020)
Mr MOK Tze-chung, Andrew  (w.e.f. 6.1.2020)
Miss LEUNG Nga-yan, Frances  (w.e.f. 6.1.2020)
Mr LAM Hei-wei, Arthur  (w.e.f. 6.1.2020)
Ms CHOW Wai-choo, Monica  (w.e.f. 20.4.2020)
Ms CHAK Kwok-yee  (w.e.f. 20.4.2020)
Mr LAM Chak-ming  (w.e.f. 20.4.2020)
Ms YEUNG Yee-na, Eleanor  (w.e.f. 20.4.2020)
Miss SIU Chi-wan, Jo  (w.e.f. 20.4.2020)
Mr LUNG Gwun-ting  (w.e.f. 20.4.2020)
Miss WAT Lai-man, Minnie  (w.e.f. 20.4.2020)
Mr YU Chun-cheung, Peter  (w.e.f. 20.4.2020)
Mr SZE Cho-yiu, Jeffrey  (w.e.f. 20.4.2020)
Mr PUN Wang-hon, Dominic  (w.e.f. 29.6.2020)
- Special Magistrates
Miss LAU Suk-han  (up to 5.1.2020)
Mr MOK Tze-chung, Andrew  (up to 5.1.2020)
Miss LEUNG Nga-yan, Frances  (up to 5.1.2020)
Mr YU Chun-pong 
Mr LAM Hei-wei, Arthur  (up to 5.1.2020)

Caseload, Case Disposal and Waiting Time at Different Court Levels

Court of Final Appeal

CASELOAD AND CASE DISPOSAL OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL

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Caseload Disposal *
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Applications for leave to appeal            
Criminal
67 67 53 80
(35)		 41
(22)		 60
(42)
Civil
127 426 289 57
(40)		 133
(110)		 314
(261)
Total 194 493 342 137 174 374
Substantive appeals            
Criminal
29 8 2 25 15 6
Civil
11 8 11 11 7 15
Total 40 16 13 36 22 21
Miscellaneous proceedings 0 0 1 0 0 1
* 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 2018 2019 2020
Applications for leave to appeal        
From notice of hearing to hearing        
Criminal
45 43 44 42
Civil
35 35 34 31
Substantive appeals        
From notice of hearing to hearing        
Criminal
100 98 98 98
Civil
120 111 113 93

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 *
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Court of Appeal
Appellate
Criminal
Appeals from the Court of First Instance
177 165 79 169 146 122
Appeals from the District Court
205 206 146 211 230 148
Sub-total 382 371 225 380 376 270
Civil
Appeals from the Court of First Instance
580 560 611 478 526 361
Appeals from the District Court
14 12 14 17 13 6
Miscellaneous Appeals
17 25 28 12 21 20
Sub-total 611 597 653 507 560 387
Review of Sentences
Criminal
Reviews from the Court of First Instance
0 0 0 0 0 0
Reviews from the District Court
5 4 2 2 4 3
Reviews from the Magistrates' Courts
1 1 14 0 1 9
Sub-total 6 5 16 2 5 12
Total 999 973 894 889 941 669
Miscellaneous Proceedings 204 321 263 178 203 217
* Case disposal refers to appeals/reviews which have been allowed, dismissed, withdrawn, discontinued or abandoned with or without court order
scroll to view full table
Caseload Disposal *
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Court of First Instance
Appellate
Criminal
Appeals from Magistrates' Courts 620 603 428 555 585 444
Civil
Appeals from Labour Tribunal 30 23 23 27 21 23
Appeals from Small Claims Tribunal 63 45 48 56 43 26
Appeals from Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board 3 4 2 1 5 2
Miscellaneous Appeals 3 4 5 5 2 2
Sub-total 99 76 78 89 71 53
Total 719 679 506 644 656 497
First Instance
Criminal Jurisdiction
Criminal Cases 421 424 366 433 446 241
Confidential Miscellaneous Proceedings 402 340 440 402 340 440
Application for Discharge 0 0 0 0 0 0
Miscellaneous Proceedings (Criminal) 789 684 772 686 655 763
Sub-total 1 612 1 448 1 578 1 521 1 441 1 444
Civil Jurisdiction
High Court Actions 3 010 2 431 2 200 1 709 1 519 1 266
Miscellaneous Proceedings 2 274 2 385 2 378 1 497 1 430 1 397
Bankruptcy & Companies Winding-up+ 8 550 9 272 9 831 8 359 9 227 8 021
Personal Injuries Actions 1 307 506 540 1 408 1 335 506
Other cases# 3 365 4 380 2 957 1 134 1 096 1 497
Sub-total 18 506 18 974 17 906 14 107 14 607 12 687
Total 20 118 20 422 19 484 15 628 16 048 14 131
Masters Chambers
Interlocutory hearings** 24 530 25 382 22 997 21 924 24 099 16 607
Taxation bills 638 547 561 486(1) 418(1) 429(1)
Probate
Applications~ 20 797 21 005 16 521 19 886(2) 20 503(2) 16 592(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, Stop Notices, Confidential Miscellaneous Proceedings (Civil) 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)
~ With effect from 1 January 2020, figure to include resealing application received
** 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 *
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Application for Review
0 0 0 0 0 0
Enforcement Action
1 1 3 0 0 3
Action
2 0 0 0 0 0
Miscellaneous Proceedings
0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 3 1 3 0 0 3
* 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 *
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Criminal Jurisdiction
Criminal Cases 1 188 961 1 119 988 1 201 774
Civil Jurisdiction
Civil 6 067 7 053 7 037 4 649 4 977 4 810
Tax Claim 1 831 1 564 778 1 517 1 281 858
Distress for Rent 3 424 4 783 4 923 3 344 4 650 4 660
Employee's Compensation 3 038 3 046 2 659 3 008 2 869 2 542
Other civil cases + 7 093 9 496 8 756 5 709 4 792 3 990
Sub-total 21 453 25 942 24 153 18 227 18 569 16 860
Family Jurisdiction
           
Matrimonial Causes 16 458 15 393 12 363 14 933 15 223 11 023
Joint Applications 6 540 6 681 4 939 5 388 5 934 4 997
Miscellaneous Proceedings 275 262 215 244 236 204
Adoption Applications 72 50 68 55 45 52
Sub-total 23 345 22 386 17 585 20 620(1) 21 438(1) 16 276(1)
Total (Civil) 44 798 48 328 41 738 38 847 40 007 33 136
Total 45 986 49 289 42 857 39 835 41 208 33 910
Masters Chambers
           
Interlocutory hearings** 7 683 10 382 9 744 6 634 7 988 6 283
Taxation bills
           
Divorce 941 823 611 870 766 603
Others 379 525 450 320 370 277
Sub-total 1 320 1 348 1 061 1 190(2) 1 136(2) 880(2)
Total 9 003 11 730 10 805 7 824 9 124 7 163
* 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 2018 2019 2020
Criminal - from first appearance of
defendants in District Court to hearing		 100 187 191 210
Civil Fixture List - from date of listing to hearing 120 95 95 105
Civil Running List - from not-to-be-warned date to hearing 30 16 21 28
Dissolution of marriage - from setting down of a case to hearing        
Special Procedure List
35 35 35 35
Defended List (all hearings)
110 111 89 69
Financial applications - from setting down of a case to hearing
110-140 90 81 85

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 *
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Appeal cases
313 1 472 789 370 493 759
Compensation cases
11 1 2 9 15 9
Building management cases
269 298 203 237 209 222
Tenancy cases
3 663 3 910 3 391 3 011 3 164 3 941
Lands compulsory sale applications
40 37 36 11 22 27
Miscellaneous proceedings applications
3 3 11 29 2 2
Total 4 299 5 721 4 432 3 667 3 905 4 960
* 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 2018 2019 2020
From setting down of a case to hearing        
Appeal cases
90 20 35 39
Compensation cases
90 38 38 29
Building management cases
90 29 21 31
Tenancy cases
50 19 17 24

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*
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Charge Cases
30 221 25 798 22 436 29 607 25 405 21 354
Hawker Cases
1 628 1 216 1 192 1 626 1 204 1 189
Departmental & Private Summonses
175 738 170 156 144 040 174 693 170 625 135 466
Driving-Offence Points Summonses
2 240 2 277 1 631 2 251 2 218 1 611
Fixed Penalty Summonses (Traffic)
532 468 480 530 526 412
Fixed Penalty Summonses
(Public Cleanliness and Obstruction)
72 97 89 77 96 83
Fixed Penalty Summonses
(Smoking Offences)
24 21 11 26 21 20
Fixed Penalty Summonses
(Vehicle Idling)
0 0 0 0 0 0
Fixed Penalty Summonses
(Mandatory Window Inspection)
13 21 27 16 19 22
Fixed Penalty Summonses
(Plastic Shopping Bag)
0 0 0 0 0 0
Fixed Penalty Summonses (Gathering Offence)#
- - 108 - - 39
Miscellaneous Proceedings
11 052 10 869 9 131 10 857 10 650 9 240
Departmental Notice
676 636 655 636 654 614
Fixed Penalty Notice (Traffic)
115 045 117 497 133 975 110 020 129 843 121 068
Fixed Penalty Notice
(Public Cleanliness and Obstruction)
2 388 2 542 2 402 2 335 2 610 2 355
Fixed Penalty Notice (Smoking Offences)
861 723 514 870 698 564
Fixed Penalty Notice (Vehicle Idling)
0 0 0 0 0 0
Fixed Penalty Notice
(Mandatory Window Inspection)
122 425 236 79 417 251
Fixed Penalty Recovery Order
(Plastic Shopping Bag)
0 0 2 0 0 2
Fixed Penalty Recovery Order
(Gathering Offence)#
- - 175 - - 130
Total 340 612 332 746 317 104 333 623 344 986 294 420
* 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 6(1) of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation, Cap. 599G came into effect on 29 March 2020

AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR CASES IN THE MAGISTRATES' COURTS

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Average Waiting Time (days)
Target 2018 2019 2020
Summonses - from plea to date of trial 50 76 67 75
Charge cases except for Juvenile Court - from plea to date of trial        
For defendants in custody
30-45 47 41 45
For defendants on bail
45-60 57 51 67
Charge cases for Juvenile Court - from plea to date of trial
For defendants in custody
30-45 -* 30 13
For defendants on bail
45-60 58 58 60
* 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 *
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Claims
3 955 4 323 3 533 3 607 4 143 2 990
Reviews
94 78 56 89 81 65
Restore claims
43 71 62 42 59 55
Set-aside awards
88 131 80 87 113 62
Total 4 180 4 603 3 731 3 825 4 396 3 172
* 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 2018 2019 2020
From appointment to filing of a case
30 25 29 61
From filing of a case to first hearing
30 25 25 23

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*
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Claims
55 007 55 879 39 821 54 355 55 304 39 518
Reviews
208 189 162 203 170 175
Total 55 215 56 068 39 983 54 558 55 474 39 693
* 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 2018 2019 2020
From filing of a case to first hearing
60 33 36 41

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 *
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Articles for determination
9 073 21 081 14 024 9 073 21 081 14 024
Articles for classification
167 82 107 168 81 108
Articles for review
0 0 0 2 0 0
Articles for reconsideration
0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 9 240 21 163 14 131 9 243 21 162 14 132
* 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 2018 2019 2020
From referral by a magistrate to determination
21 22 15 10
From receipt of application to classification
5 3 2 3
From receipt of application to review
35 -^ -^ -^
From receipt of application to reconsideration
35 -* -* -*
^ As there is no application for review filed, the waiting time is inapplicable
* As there is no application for reconsideration filed, the waiting time is inapplicable

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 *
2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020
Death inquests with jury
155 106 86 152 114 63
Death inquests without jury
12 11 12 9 16 10
Total 167 117 98 161 130 73
  • * 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 2018 2019 2020
From date of listing to hearing
42 65 61 70

Membership List of the Civil Justice Reform Monitoring Committee (Up to 31.3.2020)1


- Chairman Chief Judge, High Court
- Members 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, SBS
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 Ms Wendy CHEUNG
Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
- Secretary Ms Winnie WONG
Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)1

1 The Committee was dissolved on 1.4.2020. The Committee has been monitoring the work of the reformed civil justice system for ten years. Findings and statistics on the implementation of the Civil Justice Reform (“CJR”) from 2009 to 2019 were published every year on the CJR webpage. On the whole, the implementation of CJR continues to be smooth and satisfactory, and the relevant reforms have become a normal part of civil procedures. The greater use of mediation, more sanctioned payments and more summary assessment of costs are particularly seen as the effective outcomes of the CJR.

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
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 Ms Wendy CHEUNG
Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
Ms April LAM
Chief Judiciary Executive (Mediation Affairs)
- Secretary Mr Ernest TSANG
Mediation Co-ordinator

Membership List of the Court Users' Committees


Civil Court Users' Committee
- Chairman The Hon Madam Justice Queeny AU-YEUNG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
- Members The Hon Madam Justice Mimmie CHAN
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice Russell A COLEMAN
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Mr KWANG Cheok-weung, Simon
Registrar, High Court
His Honour Judge Justin KO
Chief District Judge
Ms Leona CHEUNG
Department of Justice
Mr Steve WONG
Legal Aid Department
(up to 17.3.2020)
Mr Ben LI
Legal Aid Department
(w.e.f. 18.3.2020)
Ms Ophelia LOK
Official Receiver's Office
Mr Paul SHIEH, SC
Mr Brian W. GILCHRIST
Dr Anna YIP
- In Attendance Ms Wendy CHEUNG
Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
Mr Joe CHENG
Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2
(up to 30.11.2020)
Ms Terri TANG
Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judge)2
(w.e.f. 1.12.2020)
- 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 Albert WONG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
The Hon Mr Justice Keith YEUNG
Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
Mr KWANG Cheok-weung, Simon
Registrar, High Court
His Honour Judge Justin KO
Chief District Judge
Mr SO Wai-tak, Victor
Chief Magistrate
Mr Paul HO
Department of Justice
Ms Juliana O Y CHAN
Legal Aid Department
(up to 7.12.2020)
Ms MO Yuk-wah
Legal Aid Department
(w.e.f. 8.12.2020)
Ms Grace WONG
The Duty Lawyer Service
Mr HO Kwok-keung, Simon
Independent Commission Against Corruption
(up to 20.12.2020)
Mr CHOI Shu-keung
Independent Commission Against Corruption
(w.e.f. 21.12.2020)
Mr CHAN Wing-on, Francis
Hong Kong Police Force
(up to 1.4.2020)
Ms TSANG Yim-sheung, Anna
Hong Kong Police Force
(w.e.f. 2.4.2020)
Mr NG Chiu-kok
Correctional Services Department
Mr Graham HARRIS, SC
Mr Kenneth NG
Mr Rex SHAM
- In Attendance Ms Wendy CHEUNG
Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
Mr Calvin YAU
Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)3
(up to 3.11.2020)
Miss Pauline WW KWOK
Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)3
(w.e.f. 4.11.2020)
- 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 Simon LUI
Registrar, District Court
Ms PANG Kit-ling
Social Welfare Department
Miss CHAN Dao-kit, Doreen
Legal Aid Department
Mr LI Chi-keung, Ben
Official Solicitor's Office
(up to 12.5.2020)
Mr CHAN Mau-kwan, Jason
Official Solicitor's Office
(w.e.f. 13.5.2020)
Ms Corinne REMEDIOS
Mr Dennis HO
Ms Jain BROWN
- In Attendance Ms Wendy CHEUNG
Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
Ms Jolly LAM
Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court)
- 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 Andrew CHEUNG
Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal
The Hon Mr Justice Jeremy POON
Chief Judge 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
Chief District Judge
Mr SO Wai-tak
Chief Magistrate
Miss Emma LAU
Judiciary Administrator
(up to 15.7.2020)
Ms Esther LEUNG
Judiciary Administrator
(w.e.f. 20.7.2020)

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 [up to 15.7.2020]
Ms Esther LEUNG, Judiciary Administrator [w.e.f. 20.7.2020]

Operations Division
Ms Wendy CHEUNG, Acting Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Operations)
 
(a) Information Technology Office (Technical) Ms Candy CHAN Chief Systems Manager (Information Technology)
Mr Kenneth CHAN Senior Systems Manager (1) [up to 8.9.2020]
Mr Patrick LAI Acting Senior Systems Manager (1) [w.e.f. 9.9.2020]
Mr Jones TAM Acting Senior Systems Manager (2) [up to 28.6.2020]
Mr Jones TAM Senior Systems Manager (2) [w.e.f. 29.6.2020]
Mr Alex LEE Senior Systems Manager (3)
Mr Alex TAI Acting Senior Systems Manager (4) [up to 28.6.2020]
Mr Alex TAI Senior Systems Manager (4) [w.e.f. 29.6.2020]
(b) Information Technology Office (Operational) Mr Harry TSANG Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Information Technology)Note 1
Mr Brian CHIU Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office) [up to 7.1.2020]
Mr Brian CHIU Chief Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office) [w.e.f. 8.1.2020]
Ms Eva LEE Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)1
Ms Carol FUNG Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)2 [up to 25.11.2020]
Mr Wilson LEUNG Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)2 [w.e.f. 26.11.2020]
Ms Wendy SHUM Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)3
Mr Barry LEE Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)4
Ms Cynthia LOK Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Information Technology Office)5 [w.e.f. 9.1.2020]
(c) Operations Division Ms Nancy MAK Acting Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Operations) [up to 5.1.2020]
Ms Nancy MAK Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Operations) [w.e.f. 6.1.2020]
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 Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2 [up to 30.11.2020]
Ms Terri TANG Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)2 [w.e.f. 1.12.2020]
Mr Calvin YAU Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)3 [up to 3.11.2020]
Ms Pauline KWOK Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Support to Judges)3 [w.e.f. 4.11.2020]
(e) Clerk of Court's Office Ms Terri TANG Clerk of Court [up to 30.11.2020]
Ms Twinky LO Acting Clerk of Court [temporarily taking up the duties of Clerk of Court from 1.12.2020 to 31.3.2021]
(f) Court of Final Appeal Registry Ms Theresa AU Acting Senior Judicial Clerk I (Court of Final Appeal) [up to 18.10.2020]
Ms Jo CHOW Senior Judicial Clerk I (Court of Final Appeal) [w.e.f. 19.10.2020]
(g) High Court Registry Ms Catherine LI Chief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry) [up to 25.11.2020]
Ms Carol FUNG Chief Judicial Clerk (High Court Registry) [w.e.f. 26.11.2020]
(h) Competition Tribunal Registry Ms Priscilla WONG Senior Judicial Clerk I (Competition Tribunal)
(i) District Court Ms Anny TAM Chief Judicial Clerk (Registry, District Court)
Ms Clare TSANG Chief Judicial Clerk (Courts, District Court)
(j) Family Court Registry Ms Jolly LAM Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Family Court)
(k) Lands Tribunal Registry Ms Amy LEUNG Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Lands Tribunal)
(l) Magistrates' Courts General Office Ms Pauline KWOK Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies) [up to 3.11.2020]
Ms Alice YIP First Clerk (Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts) [temporarily sharing the duties of Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies) from 4.11.2020 to 20.12.2020]
Mr Jack SUEN First Clerk (Eastern Magistrates' Courts) [temporarily sharing the duties of Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies) from 4.11.2020 to 20.12.2020]
Ms Phoebe HUNG First Clerk (West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts) [temporarily sharing the duties of Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies) from 4.11.2020 to 20.12.2020]
Ms Susanna FONG Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies) [temporarily taking up the duties of Senior Judiciary Executive (Magistracies) from 21.12.2020 to 31.3.2021]
(m) Probate Registry Ms Memory WONG Chief Probate Officer
(n) Labour Tribunal Registry Mr Jackson CHAN Registrar (Labour Tribunal) [up to 5.10.2020]
Ms Elizabeth LEE Acting Registrar (Labour Tribunal) [temporarily taking up the duties of Registrar (Labour Tribunal) from 6.10.2020 to 31.3.2021]
(o) Small Claims Tribunal Registry Ms Wendy CHUI Acting Chief Judicial Clerk (Small Claims Tribunal)
(p) Court Language Section Mr Brian YAU Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)1 [up to 3.5.2020]
Ms Vivien WONG Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)1 [w.e.f. 4.5.2020]
Ms Millia TANG Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)2
Ms Patience IP Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)3 [up to 2.5.2020]
Mr Brian YAU Chief Judiciary Executive (Court Language)3 [w.e.f. 4.5.2020]
(q) Bailiff Section Ms FL CHIM Chief Bailiff (Administration and Admiralty)
Mr T S YU Chief Bailiff (Operations)
(r) Mediation Section Ms April LAM Chief Judiciary Executive (Mediation Affairs)
Mr Ernest TSANG Acting Mediation Coordinator

Development Division
Ms Patricia SO, Deputy Judiciary Administrator (Development) cum
Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice
 
(a) Chief Justice's Private Office Mr Dominic CHOW Deputy Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice [w.e.f. 20.11.2020]
(b) Development Office Ms Winnie WONG Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)1
Mr David LAU Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Development)2
(c) Press & Public Relations Office Ms Daisy KWOK Acting Chief Information Officer (Judiciary)
(d) Secretariat for Complaints against Judicial Conduct Ms Vivian WAH Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Secretariat for Complaints against Judicial Conduct) [up to 7.1.2020]
Ms Vivian WAH Chief Judiciary Executive (Secretariat for Complaints against Judicial Conduct) [w.e.f. 8.1.2020]

Quality Division
Mr Harry TSANG, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Quality and Information Technology)
 
(a) Complaints Office Mr Vincent NG Acting Senior Judiciary Executive (Complaints)
(b) Digital Audio Recording and Transcription Services Section Ms Peggy LAI Acting Chief Judiciary Executive (Digital Audio Recording and Transcription Services)
(c) Legal Reference and Library Section Ms Miranda FUNG Senior Judiciary Executive (Legal Reference and Library)
(d) Management Review and Information Section Ms Prudence CHAN Chief Judiciary Executive (Management Review and Information)

Corporate Services Division
Mr Jock TAM, Acting Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Corporate Services) [up to 5.1.2020]
Mr Jock TAM, Assistant Judiciary Administrator (Corporate Services) [w.e.f. 6.1.2020]
 
(a) Project Planning and Accommodation Section Mr Francis CHENG Principal Executive Officer (Project Planning and Accommodation)
(b) Finance Section Mr Desmond LAM Acting Chief Treasury Accountant [up to 26.8.2020]
Mr Desmond LAM Chief Treasury Accountant [w.e.f. 27.8.2020]
(c) Judges and Judicial Officers Section Ms Queenie LEUNG Chief Judiciary Executive (Judges and Judicial Officers)
(d) Support Staff Section Ms Ivy TANG Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Staff) [up to 27.9.2020]
Mr Kelvin SIU Chief Judiciary Executive (Support Staff) [w.e.f. 28.9.2020]

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).

Judicial Training


During the General Adjourned Period, court proceedings were adjourned due to COVID-19 concerns. In view of public health considerations arising from COVID-19, most judicial training activities organised by the Hong Kong Judicial Institute, as well as those organised with/by other jurisdictions/organizations were postponed or cancelled in this period.

For this period, the work of the Hong Kong Judicial Institute in the form of research support and publications for judges and judicial officers continued.

Local Judicial Training Activities Organised by the Hong Kong Judicial Institute
Date Activity
8.1.2020 Training course on legal research
18.3.2020 Training on e-Lodgment Platform for High Court judges
19.3, 27.4, 20.5, 7.7, 18.8 & 5.11.2020 Induction briefings for Deputy Magistrates / Adjudicators
20.3.2020 Sharing session on case management by the Hon Madam Justice Anthea PANG, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
8 – 9.4.2020 Demonstration session on conducting remote hearing using video-conferencing facilities
5.5.2020 Training on digital evidence and exhibit handling
29 – 30.6.2020 Induction course for newly appointed Permanent Magistrates 2020
3.7.2020 Talk entitled “Judicial Impartiality and Public Confidence” by the Hon Mr Justice Albert WONG, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court
7.8.2020 Training on Integrated Court Case Management System for Magistrates
11.9, 16.9 & 25.9.2020 Intervisioning sessions of case management workshop
14.9.2020 Competition Law Seminar
15.10.2020 Integrated use of courtroom information technology for hearing
13.11.2020 Introduction to the Family Court
19.11.2020 Training on the integrated use of courtroom IT for e-hearing/ trials

Number of Visits and Visitors to the Judiciary


2019 2020 *
Local
No. of visits 293 3
No. of visitors 9 254 93
The Mainland
No. of visits 26 0
No. of visitors 541 0
Overseas
No. of visits 18 7
No. of visitors 206 23
Total
No. of visits 337 10
No. of visitors 10 001 116

Number of Visitors
Category of Visitors 2019 2020 *
Judges and legal profession 418 0
Government officials 104 12
Students and others 9 479 104
Total 10 001 116

* In view of public health situation, visit to the court premises has been suspended since February 2020.

Expenditure and Revenue of the Judiciary in 2019-20



Recurrent Expenditure
2019-2020 ($' 000)
- Personal Emoluments 1,309,943
- Departmental Expenses 613,849
- Other Charges 8,778
Total 1,932,570

Revenue*
2019-2020 ($' 000)
- Fees & Charges 196,763
- Fines 234,730
- Forfeitures & Others 93,591
Total 525,084

* 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 2020 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 3 123ii 4 286iii 7 4 419
Chief Judge of the High Court 20 0 0 NA 20
Chief District Judge 13 1 2 NA 16
Chief Magistrate 992iv 1 111v NA 1 104
Sub-total 1 028 125 4 399 7 5 559

* If a Court Leader considers it inappropriate for him/her to handle a complaint as this may lead to any real or perceived conflict of interest, he/she may instruct another judge to handle the complaint.

Notes:
i During the period under report, there has been a marked increase in the number of complaints against Judges and Judicial Officers (JJOs). This is owing to the surge in the number of identical or similar complaints against JJOs in relation to certain court decisions and court cases. In 2020, a total of 5 559 complaints have been disposed of. Among which, 5 488 are related to those identical or similar complaints. In accordance with the cardinal principle of judicial independence, complaints against judicial or statutory decisions cannot and will not be dealt with. Any dissatisfaction with judicial or statutory decisions can only be dealt with by way of appeal or review through existing legal procedures.
ii Identical or similar complaints related to one court case.
iii Identical or similar complaints related to one court case.
iv Including 983 identical or similar complaints relating to 70 court cases.
v Including 96 identical or similar complaints related to one court case.
vi The total number of cases filed in 2020 is 460 003.
vii Complaint related to judicial conduct can be broadly classified according to their nature. Among complaints involving judicial conduct above, 8 complaints are related to attitude and behavior in court, 4 510 are related to handling of actual proceedings in court, 1 is related to conduct not directly related to court work and 5 related to mixed nature.
viii Among the complaint cases related to judicial conduct, there is one partially justified case (i.e. the case indicated under Note iii). The complaints were that the District Judge’s comments in the Reasons for Sentence gave rise to a perception of bias. The Chief Justice has looked into the case. Judges and judicial officers must not be biased nor, just as important, be reasonably perceived to be biased for or against any persons or causes. The concerned Reasons for Sentence caused controversy in that there is a risk that some reasonable, fair-minded and well informed persons could reasonably take the view that the aforesaid principles might have been compromised in that a wrong perception was given. The Chief Justice had reminded the relevant judge of these important principles mentioned above in discharging judicial duties. It was decided that the relevant Judge should not for the time being deal with cases involving a similar political context.
ix The above table only reports the number of those identical or similar complaints that were fully disposed of. For those identical or similar complaints involving complaints against more than one court case and the outcome of investigation regarding complaints of one or more court case(s) are to be provided upon the completion of all relevant court proceedings and conclusion of investigation, such statistics will be reported upon full disposal of complaints of all court case(s). The number of complaints disposed of only include complaints with the provision of the obligatory information (correspondence addresses and names).

Complaints against the Judiciary Administration



Nature of Complaints 2020*
- Complaints about procedures 16
- Complaints about facilities 3
- Complaints about the judicial support services 52
- Complaints against staff of the Judiciary Administration 29
Total 100

* Oral complaints included

Last Update Date : 24-02-2021