Judicial system
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Kaufman (GURTONI)
11
Johnston (INVERNOS))
(TOTTENHAM) (BLACKPOOL S)
Great Blaber
B.TO.
We welcome the provisions in the draft Basic Law for the continuation of Hong Kong's common law system [Article 81 and for an independent judiciary [Articles 18 and 84]. We note also that there is provision for final judgement to be vested in Hong Kong [Article 181, in accordance with the Joint Declaration. We at aware of concern in Hong Kong that the independence of the judiciary could be affected by the powers of the National People's Congress and the Central People's Government. It is right that such concerns should be voiced and I am confident that the Basig Law Drafting Committee will take them into account. [But it should be remembered that there are certain restrictions on the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong Courts under the present system, And some provision on the relationship between the central authorities and the institutions of the Hong Kong SAR will have to be included in the <<Basic Law.
We welcome recent statements by chinese officials who visited Hong Kong that they had taken careful note of comments put to them and would reconsider the draft in the light of those comments.
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