S. H. Chou & Co.

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有關家事司法制度程序改革的《家事訴訟程序條例草案》草擬本諮詢展開

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司法機構發出:

司法機構今日（二月十四日）起就《家事訴訟程序條例草案》（《條例草案》）草擬本諮詢公眾，誠邀法律專業人士、相關人士及公眾在截至四月十三日的兩個月內就有關家事司法制度程序改革的《條例草案》草擬本提出意見。

司法機構發言人說：「《條例草案》旨在為提升家事司法制度效率和成本效益的綜合程序規則立法，目標是根據二○一五年五月《家事訴訟程序規則檢討最後報告》（註）的建議，為法庭及所有法庭使用者提供方便使用和全面的程序規則。」

發言人說：「其中一項透過《條例草案》落實的主要提議是就所有家事和婚姻法律程序訂立一套統一的法庭程序法規予家事法庭和高等法院採用。《條例草案》亦成立一個新的家事訴訟程序規則委員會，作為訂立家事相關法庭程序規則的單一權力機關。《條例草案》亦有條文賦權家事法庭的司法常務官及聆案官處理一些家事法律程序相關的事宜，藉此緩減家事法官的沉重工作量。」

司法機構會因應諮詢期內收到的意見對《條例草案》作適當修改，然後向立法會提交《條例草案》。
　　
諮詢文件已上載司法機構網頁（www.judiciary.hk/doc/zh/other_information/family_review/consultation_doc.pdf）。意見可循以下途徑提交：

電郵：[email protected]

傳真：2501 4636

郵寄：香港金鐘道66號
　　　金鐘道政府合署高座
　　　8樓802-808室
　　　司法機構
　　　政策支援部

註：《家事訴訟程序規則檢討最後報告》載於司法機構網頁（www.judiciary.hk/doc/zh/other_information/family_review/final_report.pdf）。

完

2022年2月14日（星期一）

Consultation on draft Family Procedure Bill on procedural reforms for family justice system launched

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The following is issued by the Judiciary:

The Judiciary today (February 14) started to consult the public on the draft Family Procedure Bill (FPB). Legal professionals, interested parties and other members of the public are invited to give their views on the draft FPB on procedural reforms for the family justice system during the coming two months till April 13.

"The FPB seeks to legislate for a consolidated set of procedural rules to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the family justice system. The objective is to provide accessible and comprehensive procedural rules for the courts and all court users pursuant to the recommendations in the Judiciary's Final Report on the Review of Family Procedure Rules (Note) published in May 2015," a spokesman for the Judiciary said.

"One of the key proposals to be implemented by the FPB is the adoption of a single unified set of court procedural rules for all family and matrimonial proceedings across the Family Court and the High Court. The FPB will provide for the establishment of a new Family Procedure Rules Committee as the single rule-making authority for family-related court procedures. It will also include a provision to empower the Registrar and Masters of the Family Court to handle certain procedural work on family-related proceedings so as to alleviate the heavy workload of the Judges in the Family Court," the spokesman said.

The FPB will be refined as appropriate in light of the comments received during the consultation before it is introduced to the Legislative Council.

The consultation document is available at the Judiciary's website (www.judiciary.hk/doc/en/other_information/fpr/consultation_doc.pdf). Views can be submitted via:

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 2501 4636

Mail: Policy Support Division, Judiciary,
Room 802-808, 8/F, High Block,
Queensway Government Offices,
66 Queensway, Hong Kong

Note: The Final Report on the Review of Family Procedure Rules is available at the Judiciary's website (www.judiciary.hk/doc/en/other_information/fpr/final_report.pdf).

Ends/Monday, February 14, 2022

www.judiciary.hk

CSD Official Visit Update - 懲教署公事探訪最新情況

Suspension of Official Visit Service of Stanley Prison and Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre until further notice.

赤柱監獄及荔板角收押所公務探訪暫停，直到另行通知。

Hong Kong Judiciary Information 香港司法機構資訊 - 04/02/2022

法庭進一步加強社交距離措施

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司法機構今日（二月四日）宣布，因應最新的公共衞生情況和相關發展，由星期一（二月七日）起，法庭座位數目將進一步減少，而有陪審團參與的新聆訊一般將會延期，除非法庭另作指示。這些是繼早前已公布下調法院大樓內人數上限和縮短法院登記處及其他辦事處的辦公時間後，進一步推行的措施。

法庭事務是必要的公共服務，有助有效執行司法工作。上述措施旨在進一步增加社交距離和限制人流，以確保法庭在情況許可下能繼續安全地維持運作。

法庭程序
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原訂由二月七日至二月底展開有陪審團參與的新聆訊及死因研訊一般將會延期，除非法庭另作指示。如有陪審團參與的新聆訊必須進行，法庭會另行通知訴訟各方有關安排。

如有涉及陪審團的聆訊程序必須進行，司法機構已／將採取額外措施，確保陪審員之間的社交距離有所增加。

所有其他法庭聆訊一般將繼續如期進行，除非法庭另作指示。如有任何更改，法庭會向訴訟各方給予具體指示。

法庭內的公眾席和法庭大堂的座位數目將進一步減少，以增加社交距離。在有需要及切實可行的情況下，司法機構或會安排轉播在同一法院大樓內的法庭聆訊。

加強社交距離措施
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正如早前所公布，司法機構會繼續推行以下社交距離措施：

１）在適合情況下，法庭內的公眾席和法庭大堂的座位數目，以及登記處和會計部的人數上限會進一步減少。如有需要，司法機構會實施更嚴緊的排隊安排和人群管理措施；及

２）各級法院的登記處、會計部及提供支援服務的辦事處縮短辦公時間，即星期一至五上午八時四十五分至下午十二時三十分及下午二時至五時（公眾假期除外）。

Court to further enhance social distancing

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The Judiciary announced today (February 4) that in light of the latest public health situation and related developments, with effect from Monday (February 7), the seating capacity of courtrooms will be further reduced and new jury proceedings will generally be adjourned except otherwise directed by the court. These measures will be put in place in addition to the recently announced adjustments to capacity limits of court premises and reductions in the operating hours of court registries and other offices.

Court business is an essential public service which enables the effective and efficient administration of justice. The above measures seek to further enhance social distancing and limit people flow, so as to ensure that the courts can continue to carry on business as safely as circumstances permit.

Court proceedings
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New jury proceedings and death inquests involving juries scheduled from February 7 till the end of February will generally be adjourned except otherwise directed by the court. If any new jury trial is to proceed, the relevant parties will be informed by the court separately.

Where jury proceedings have to take place, additional measures are or will be taken to ensure enhanced social distancing of jurors.

All other court hearings will generally continue to proceed as scheduled unless directed otherwise by the court. Parties will be given specific directions by the court should there be any changes.

The seating capacity of the public gallery of courtrooms and court lobbies will be further reduced to enhance social distancing. Broadcast of proceedings within the same court building may be arranged if necessary and practicable.

Enhanced social distancing measures
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Further to the recent announcements by the Judiciary, the following social distancing measures will continue:

1) the seating capacity of the public gallery of courtrooms and court lobbies as well as the capacity limits of registries and account offices will be further reduced where appropriate. More stringent queueing and crowd control measures will be adopted if necessary; and

2) the operating hours of the registries, accounts offices and other supporting offices of all levels of court would be reduced to 8.45am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5pm (Monday to Friday, except public holidays).

Reminder:-

法庭進一步增加社交距離
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下稿代司法機構發出：

　　司法機構今日（一月二十六日）宣布，因應最新的公共衞生情況和相關發展，除一月六日所公布下調法院大樓內人數上限的措施外，由明日（一月二十七日）起，各級法院的登記處、會計部和其他提供支援服務的辦事處將縮短辦公時間。

　　法庭事務是必要的公共服務，有助有效執行司法工作。上述措施連同下調法院大樓內的人數上限，旨在減少法庭使用者和司法機構的工作人員在法院大樓內的人數和逗留時間，以確保法庭在情況許可下能繼續安全地維持運作。

登記處、會計部及提供支援服務的辦事處
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　　由一月二十七日起，各級法院的登記處和會計部將縮短辦公時間，經調整後的辦公時間為星期一至五上午八時四十五分至下午十二時三十分及下午二時至五時（公眾假期除外）。因此，登記處和會計部能處理的事務將會減少，等候時間或會延長。

　　同樣地，由一月二十七日起，各個為法庭使用者及公眾提供支援服務的辦事處亦將縮短辦公時間，詳情載於附件。

　　為配合縮短辦公時間，司法機構會採取更嚴緊的人群管理和社交距離措施，以確保在整個辦公時間內法庭使用者在有關辦事處範圍的數目維持在人數限制之內。如有需要，指定區域亦會實施特別排隊安排。

　　司法機構呼籲所有法庭使用者避免於繁忙時間，例如上午及下午的較後時段，前往有關辦事處。

法庭程序
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　　所有法庭聆訊一般將繼續如期進行，除非法庭另作指示。如有任何更改，法庭將向訴訟各方給予具體指示。

就民事程序而言，在適合情況下，法庭或將更多使用遙距聆訊及／或以書面方式處理案件。法庭將就個別案件給予指示。

Court to further enhance social distancing
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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

The Judiciary announced today (January 26) that in light of the latest public health situation and related developments, with effect from tomorrow (January 27), the operating hours of the registries, accounts offices and other supporting offices of all levels of court will be reduced, following the reduction in capacity limits of court premises announced on January 6.

Court business is an essential public service which enables the effective and efficient administration of justice. The above measure, together with the reduced capacity limits of court premises, seeks to reduce both total number of court users and support staff in court premises as well as their duration of stay, so as to ensure that the courts can continue to carry on business as safely as circumstances permit.

Registries, Accounts Offices and Supporting Offices
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From January 27 onwards, the registries and accounts offices of all levels of courts will reduce their operating hours to 8.45am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5pm (Monday to Friday, except public holidays). As a result, the capacity of the registry and accounts services will be reduced. Delays may be expected.

Similarly, from January 27 onwards, various offices that provide support services to court users and the public will also reduce their operating hours as set out at Annex.

To tie in with the reduced operating hours, the Judiciary will put in place more stringent crowd control and social distancing measures to keep the total number of court users present in such offices within the reduced capacity limits throughout the operating hours. Where necessary, there will also be special queuing arrangements at designated areas.

The Judiciary appeals to all court users to avoid coming to these offices at peak hours, such as late mornings and late afternoons.

Court Proceedings
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All court hearings will generally continue to proceed as scheduled unless directed otherwise by the court. Parties will be given specific directions by the court should there be any changes.

For civil proceedings, the court may make greater use of remote hearings and/or paper disposal for proceedings where appropriate. The court will give directions for individual cases in this regard.

2022年2 月4 日
年初四
如常辦公
祝大家大吉大利

壬寅年
年初一 (2022年2月1日) 至 年初三 (2022年2月3日) 休息
年初四 (2022年2月4日) 正常辦公時間

壬寅虎年 - 祝願大家虎虎生威 - 最緊要健康

年廿九 - 預祝大家虎年身體健康

2021年11月 6日晚上

Our Ms. Chan is now a solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong SAR.

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