268
CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
is not extensive, but they exercise a limited jurisdiction in domestic matters, chiefly under the Infants Custody Ordinance and Separa- tion and Maintenance Orders Ordinance, and perform important functions under a number of other ordinances, including the Magistrates (Coroners Powers) Ordinance.
The District Court, established in 1953, took over the summary jurisdiction previously exercised by the Supreme Court and gives to the public a simpler and shorter method of bringing to trial civil disputes in which the value of the subject matter (other than land) is under $10,000. In the case of land, the limit is still $5,000.
The District Court has an unlimited appellate jurisdiction in stamp and rating appeals. It also exercises appellate jurisdiction from the Tenancy Tribunal.
It has unlimited jurisdiction under the Distress for Rent Ordin- ance, and it is the court which deals with claims under the Work- men's Compensation Ordinance.
Trial in both civil and criminal proceedings in the District Court is by judge alone and there is a general limitation of five years on a District Judge's power to award a sentence of imprison- ment, however, recently under Emergency Regulations, power has been given to District Judges to impose sentences of up to 10 years for offences committed contrary to the Regulations.
The Supreme Court's civil jurisdiction is similar to that of the three Divisions of the English High Court-namely the Queen's Bench Division, the Chancery Division and the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division. In addition it exercises jurisdiction in lunacy, bankruptcy, and company-winding-up matters. The most serious criminal offences are tried by a judge of the Supreme Court sitting with a jury of seven. (A summary of cases heard and dealt with in all courts for the years 1963-7 will be found in Appendix XLIII).
The highest court in Hong Kong is the Full Court. It sits as occasion requires and is constituted of two or more judges of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice directs. The Chief Justice usually presides over this court which hears appeals from the Supreme Court and the District Court and has jurisdiction cor- responding roughly to that of the Court of Appeal, the Court of