to the criminal sessions which are held once a month; these cases are usually divided between three judges.
A right of appeal exists in all these cases. Appeals are heard by a Full Court consisting of two or more judges. Under the Magistrates Ordinance, any person aggrieved may appeal to a judge from the decision of a magistrate. This form of appeal is heard by a single judge who may reserve the appeal or any point in it for consideration by the Full Court, or may direct the appeal or the point to be argued before the Full Court.
During the year 679 Original Jurisdiction actions were instituted as compared to 986 in 1950. The fall in this total is due to the fact that late in 1950 the monetary limit in Summary Jurisdiction was raised from $1,000 to $5,000. On the other hand, the number of Summary Jurisdiction actions rose from 562 in 1950 to 915 in 1951.
The Assizes were formally opened on 18th January 1951.
The usual service was held at St. John's Cathedral, and was well attended by the members of both branches of the legal profession, as well as by prominent citizens and the heads of the Services. The church ceremony was followed by addresses delivered in the Central Court the Attorney General and by the Acting Chief Justice.
The present Chief Justice, Sir Gerard Lewis Howe, K.C., arrived in the Colony in March, his predecessor Sir Leslie Gibson, K.C., having left on retirement in March 1950.
During the year, there was a notable decrease in serious crime. While during 1950 there were 402 convictions at the Sessions, only 219 were convicted in 1951. The decrease in armed robberies was particularly noticeable and can partly be attributed to legislation which was passed in 1950 making it an offence punishable with death to be found under certain conditions in possession of firearms.
The Lower Courts
There are four magistrates' courts on the Island and three in Kowloon. The latter hear cases from the whole mainland area south of the Kowloon hills. There is also a Justices of the Peace Court composed of 2 unofficial Justices of the Peace sitting together, one of whom is usually a solicitor. This court, which first began functioning in 1948, has proved a great success, due largely to the cooperation of the Justices who make a point of serving regularly.
Civil Jurisdiction in the New Territories is exercised by the District Commissioner and his District Officers, who have powers similar to those of the Supreme Court. Most of the litigation concerns land.
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