HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL – 2 November 1988
香港立法局 一九八八年十一月二日
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DR. IP: I request that all the answers to be given in writing will be tabled and included in Hansard.
HIS HONOUR THE PRESIDENT: Yes, we can give that undertaking.
Written answers to questions
Translation of court documents
10.譚耀宗議員問:鑑於現時高等法院沒有提供翻譯中文狀詞之服務,政府可否告知本局,會否 考慮提供是項服務?
SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION: Sir, a working party set up by the former Chief Justice has recommended that more use of the Chinese language in the courts should be encouraged. A sub- committee of the working party will carry out a detailed study on the resources to implement the recommendation. The study will begin with the lower courts and end up with the Court of Final Appeal. It is expected to be completed in a few months' time.
Upon completion of the study, the Government would consider the feasibility of translating court documents submitted in Chinese.
Legal Aid
11. MR. TAI asked: In view of the rising costs of litigation, will Government inform this Council whether or not it will review the financial criteria regarding eligibility for legal aid so that such assistance may be available to a wider sector of the public?
SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION: Sir, the limit of eligibility for legal aid has been reviewed from time to time. The level of disposable capital allowed for in the formula for determining eligibility was last increased in 1984 from $10,000 to $15,000; and the level of disposable income was increased in 1986 from $1,500 to $2,200 per month.
At the same time, the level of deductible personal allowances is kept under constant review and adjustments are made as necessary. The level was increased twice in 1988 in line with similar adjustments made to the scale of basic rates of allowances payable under the Public Assistance Scheme.