With reference to the plans under consideration we think it right to say that considering the difficulties, or the site and area, under which they have been prepared great ingenuity has been shown in meeting the requirements as far as possible, but we cannot consider them an altogether satisfactory solution of the problem.
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The order of procedure in the Law Courts in Hong Kong does not differ in essentials from that which obtains in England and the provisions requisite for the orderly and convenient working of the establishment are, generally speaking, the same.
There should be a central Hall, large, lofty, well lighted and well ventilated, for the use of the general public having business with the Courts, and to which the public should be almost entirely restricted. From this Hall, direct access should be had to each court through intervening lobbies. There should be at least two Waiting Rooms for Witnesses immediately wanted. There should be a "Bar" corridor and Reading room which would be limited to the use of the Bar or at most shared by the Judges. There should be a Solicitors' Corridor, with suitable Consultation Rooms, which are most desirable for use in the intervals of the sitting of the Courts. There should be a Prisoners' entrance, and detention rooms, whither they could be directly brought for trial and whence they could reach by a special route, the steps leading immediately to the Dock and by which they could also be removed after sentence.
The Judges and the Bar should have equally distinct entrance and exit, from the purlieus of the Courts. The several accessories should be arranged for the particular use of Judge, Bar, Jury, Witnesses and Public and placed accordingly. We submit that, in respect of some of the above points, the plans, as they stand, are defective and in others deficient.
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We