THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1983
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BILL SEEKS TO RAISE THRESHOLD OF ESTATES
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A BILL SEEKING TO RAISE THE THRESHOLD OF THOSE ESTATES WHICH MAY BE DEALT WITH INFORMALLY BY THE OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATOR, WILL BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE AMENDMENT WOULD ENSURE THAT SMALL ESTATES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ADMINISTERED QUICKLY AND INEXPENSIVELY.
UNDER THE EXISTING LAW, THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT IN HIS CAPACITY AS OFFICIAL ADMINISTRATOR, MAY SUMMARILY ADMINISTER AN ESTATE OF A DECEASED PERSON IF HE IS OF THE OPINION THAT THE ESTATE DOES NOT EXCEED $20 000 IN VALUE.
THE PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZATTE PROPOSES TO RAISE THIS THRESHOLD, PRESCRIBED IN 1971, TO $50 000.
THE BILL WILL BE PLACED BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 29 FOR FIRST READING. THE REMAINING STAGES ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED AT THE COUNCIL SITTING ON JULY 13.
A RESOLUTION, UNDER THE INTESTATES' ESTATES ORDINANCE WILL ALSO BE MOVED ON JUNE 29 TO BRING UP-TO-DATE WIDOW'S ENTITLEMENTS UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH WERE FIRST LAID DOWN IN 1971.
PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, HONG KONG, OR TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
AMENDMENTS TO IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE
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A SERIES OF MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE, AIMED AT PROTECTING HONG KONG'S TRADING INTEREST, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW.
UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, THE DEFINITION OF +MANIFEST+ IS AMENDED TO ENSURE THAT THE DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE AS CARGO MANIFESTS MEET THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, AND IDENTIFIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING A MANIFEST WHERE CARGO IS IMPORTED BY TRAIN.
THE BILL REQUIRES