PJ
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1977
HE EXPECTED AN ASSURANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT THAT THE MACHINERY OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL WOULD BE IMPROVED AND HOPED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WOULD TAKE HEED OF MR. LO'S PLEA THAT FULL PUBLICITY BE GIVEN TO THE NEW PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS.
THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, THE HON. G.C. THORNTON, IN REPLY SAID MR. LO'S CALL TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS WELL DIRECTED.
+ IT MAY WELL BE THAT AS YET MANY HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE THAT THIS TRIBUNAL DETERMINES IN AN INFORMAL WAY, INEXPENSIVELY AND IN CANTONESE, MONETARY CLAIMS NOT EXCEEDING $3,000,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRIBUNAL, WAS KEEPING HIS EYE ON THE LEVEL OF WORK AND IF IT BECOMES NECESSARY, ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR A THIRD TRIBUNAL TO BE SET UP IN ADDITION TO THE TWO AT PRESENT.
THE SOLICITOR GENERAL SAID HE HAD HAD DISCUSSION WITH THE REGISTRAR ON THE ADEQUACY OF STAFF RAISED BY MR. LO.
+ THE TRIBUNAL COMMENCED OPERATIONS ON OCTOBER 1, 1976 AND IS THUS STILL IN ITS INFANCY. INFANCY IS GENERALLY ACCOMPANIED BY TEETHING TROUBLES AND THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL HAS NOT BEEN IMMUNE,+ MR. THORNTON SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE NATURE OF THE TRIBUNAL WAS SUCH AS TO IMPOSE PARTICULARLY DEMANDING CHALLENGES ON THE ADJUDICATORS AND THEIR SUPPORTING STAFF AND HE HAD IN MIND THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE STAFF TO REDUCE TO WRITING CLAIMS MADE ORALLY.
ALSO, HE ADDED, ADJUDICATORS WERE GIVEN A POSITIVE DUTY OF CONSIDERING WHAT WAS RELEVANT WHETHER OR NOT RAISED BY ONE OF THE PARTIES.
THESE SOMEWHAT NOVEL DUTIES HAD TO BE PERFORMED WITH PATIENCE AND ENTHUSIASM AS WELL AS SKILL IF THE TRIBUNAL WAS TO ACHIEVE ALL THAT WAS HOPED, HE SAID.
+TO EXTRACT THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A CLAIM FROM PERHAPS A LONG AND TANGLED TALE MAY BE TIME CONSUMING AND FAR FROM EASY BUT THIS TRIBUNAL WILL SUCCEED ONLY IF THE TRIBUNAL STAFF CAN EARN THE RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE OF THE PUBLIC THEY SERVE.
+ THE REGISTRAR IS OF COURSE AWARE OF THIS AND IS MONITORING THE PROGRESS OF THE TRIBUNAL. HE HAS HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ADJUDICATORS CONCERNING THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES. IN ADDITION HE IS CONSIDERING WHETHER THE COUNTER STAFF NEEDS STRENGTHENING, PERHAPS BY JUDICIAL CLERKS, MR. THORNTON SAID.
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