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findings. The magazine's reach extends far beyond its average monthly circulation of 27 700. Through the prominent coverage in the media and press statements on the council's web site, the council reaches virtually all sectors of the community.
Two consumer empowerment projects were organised as part of activities marking the council's 25th anniversary. The 'Consumer Rights Reporting Awards' gave recognition to the mass media for their valuable partnership with the council in enhancing the consumer movement. The 'Consumer Culture Study Award' encouraged secondary school students to study and analyse consumption patterns of the Hong Kong people in general, in order to drive home the message of 'consume wisely and consume green'.
Access to legal redress is important in the protection of consumer interests. During the year, an appeal case between credit card companies and their customers, over the validity of an indemnity costs clause in credit card agreements, was resolved in favour of the customers. The council gave assistance by supplying information in support of the customers' case, to the counsel appointed by the court as amicus curiae ('friend of the court'). The court ruled that the clause was unconscionable under the Unconscionable Contracts Ordinance. It was the first decided case in which the ordinance was applied since its enactment in 1995. The court ruling took into account findings of the council's research that showed consumers had little or no choice as to the contract terms that were drawn up in the interests of the credit card and finance companies. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority initiated a review of the Code of Banking Practice to promote improved standards of business practices among authorised institutions in the provision of credit card services.
The Consumer Legal Action Fund provides legal assistance to consumers with meritorious cases for the protection of consumer interests. The fund, with the council as its trustee, is administered by a Board of Administrators underpinned by a Management Committee with members appointed by the Government. Since its establishment in 1994, the fund has considered 40 groups of cases, with the number of applicants in each case ranging from one to more than 800.
To further explore the issue of consumer redress, a Conference on Consumer Redress Mechanisms was held in April. The conference was attended by over 200 participants including prominent legal professionals, academics and dispute resolution practitioners from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. The conference concluded that the council should be given the power, through a change of law, to bring action on matters of crucial interests on behalf of consumers, through seeking injunctive and declaratory relief from the court.
On networking, the council is an executive and council member of the Consumers International (CI), which is a federation of 260 consumer organisations in 112 countries/territories dedicated to the protection and promotion of consumer interests. The council's Chief Executive was elected President of the CI for a three-year term commencing in November 1997. The council also maintains regular contacts with its counterparts overseas and in the Mainland. During the year, 777 officials from various parts of the Mainland visited the Council Office as part of a training programme and there were also visitors from other consumer organisations and international bodies.