Consultation Paper on Proposed Legislative Amendments
for the Implementation of the Civil Justice Reform

I.       INTRODUCTION

1.1            The implementation of the majority of recommendations in the Final Report ("Final Report") of the Working Party on Civil Justice Reform ("CJR") requires legislative amendment. This Consultation Paper invites comments on the proposed legislative amendments. The proposed amendments to both primary and subsidiary legislation should be read in the context of the recommendations and text of the Final Report.

1.2            The Final Report of the Working Party on CJR was published on 3 March 2004. Having studied in detail the comments received on its Interim Report and Consultative Paper published in November 2001, the Working Party made a total of 150 recommendations in the Final Report. Most of the recommendations attracted considerable support from those who responded in the consultation exercise, including the Bar Association and the Law Society.

1.3            The majority of the recommendations involve amendments to the existing rules and practice of the High Court. Some involve amendments to primary legislation.