Sir, I mention
these
matters because it is
necessary to remind ourselves ever SO often that if the
people of Hong Kong wish to preserve the rule of law and
the independence of the judiciary after 1997, then it is
incumbent on all of us to realise that these cardinal
principles of criminal justice must not be whittled down
in any circumstances whatsoever.
this world.
sir, no legal system is perfect in this
But we believe that our legal system affords the greatest
protection to the individual. And in the context of 1997,
nothing can be more important than the preservation of
these cardinal principles.
The present clause 16(1)(a) no longer requires an
accused person to serve and deliver a written outline of the defence case but merely
prosecutor and deliver to the
haw
requires to serve on the
indicating, with reference to the
ifto
a written statement
prosecution case
statement, the facts on which he takes issues with the prosecution".
Sir, I shall move a number of amendments in
Committee which I
Administration.
this stage.
understand will be supported by the
But I do not propose to deal with them at