ORDINANCE No. 9 of 1866.
Suppression of Piracy.
15. The Registrar and other officers of the Supreme Court shall attend the sittings of "the High Court of Hongkong for the Suppression of Piracy," and assist in the proceedings thereof, and whilst so attending and assisting shall be styled officers of such last-mentioned Court.
16. It shall be in the power of the Court to adjourn the proceedings from time to time to any day or days to be fixed by them in the event of the absence of witnesses or of any other cause which shall appear to them expedient.
17. Every member of the Court before he shall enter upon the execution of any of the duties of his office shall take an oath in the presence of His Excellency the Governor in the form following (that is to say)-
"I, A. B., do solemnly swear that I will according to the best of my skill and knowledge, act in the execution of my office of member of 'the High Court of Hongkong for the Suppression of Piracy' faithfully, impartially, fairly, and without prejudice either for or against prosecutors or prisoners, or any other persons. So help me God."
And every Registrar and other officer of the Court before he enters on the duties of his office shall take an oath before one of the members of the Court who shall be empowered to administer the same in the form following (that is to say) —
"I, A.B., do solemnly swear that I will according to the best of my skill and knowledge act in the execution of my office, and that I will conduct myself with respect to the authority of the members of the High Court of Hongkong for the Suppression of Piracy' to which Court I am attached and will act with fidelity in all the affairs which may belong to my charge, and without reference or favor either for prosecutors or prisoners, or any other persons. So help me God."
18. For the purpose of bringing any offence under the cognizance of the Court, an information shall be signed by the Attorney General.
19. From and after the commencement of this Ordinance every person who, but for this Ordinance, would be committed for trial before the Supreme Court for piracy or any offence connected therewith shall in lieu thereof be committed for trial before the Court established by this Ordinance. Provided always that the Attorney General if he shall think expedient so to do, may direct that the trial of any person committed for trial before the said Court shall take place before the Supreme Court in cases where the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to try the offence for which such person shall have been committed as aforesaid.
20. The rules of evidence observed in the Supreme Court in its Criminal Jurisdiction shall, except as herein specially provided, and until otherwise provided by competent authority in that behalf, be applicable to, and observed in, the trial of all questions of fact in the Court established in pursuance of this Ordinance.
921
Officers of Court.
Power to adjourn.
Members to take an oath.
Registrar and other officers to take an oath.
Attorney General to prosecute.
Committal of prisoners for trial for offences connected with piracy.
Attorney General may direct trial to take place at Supreme Court in certain cases.
What rules of evidence to be observed.
Page 5
Page 6