CJR Interim Report, The Working Party

THE WORKING PARTY

1.	This Interim Report and Consultative Paper is issued by the Working Party appointed by the Chief Justice in February 2000 with the following terms of reference :-


		"To review the civil rules and procedures of the High Court and to recommend changes thereto with a view to ensuring and improving access to justice at reasonable cost and speed."

2.	The Working Party consists of the following members :-

The Hon Mr Justice Chan, Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (Chairman)

The Hon Mr Justice Ribeiro, Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (Deputy Chairman)

The Hon Mr Justice Rogers, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal

The Hon Mr Justice Seagroatt, Judge of the Court of First Instance

The Hon Mr Justice Hartmann, Judge of the Court of First Instance

The Hon Madam Justice Chu, Judge of the Court of First Instance

Mr Ian Wingfield, Law Officer (Civil Law), Member of the Department of Justice appointed in consultation with the Secretary for Justice

Mr S Y Chan, Director of Legal Aid

Mr Geoffrey Ma SC, Barrister appointed in consultation with the Chairman of the Bar Association

Mr Patrick Swain, Solicitor appointed in consultation with the President of the Law Society

Professor Michael Wilkinson, University of Hong Kong

Mrs Pamela Chan, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council

Master Jeremy Poon, Master of the High Court (Secretary)

3.	This Report and Consultative Paper ("this Report") seeks :-

	3.1	to report on reforms discussed and implemented in other jurisdictions relevant to possible reforms in Hong Kong;

	3.2	to report on the available evidence as to the state of the civil justice system in Hong Kong; and,

	3.3	to formulate proposals for possible reform to our procedural rules for the purpose of consulting court users, members of the legal profession and all interested members of the public.