TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1985
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NEED FOR FAMILY LAW GROUP RAISED BY AG
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THE LACK OF AN ADEQUATE CONSULTATIVE BODY IN HONG KONG WHICH COULD PROVIDE INFORMED VIEWS TO GOVERNMENT WAS ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES THAT THE LAW REFORMER ON FAMILY LAW MATTERS FACED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
IN ENGLAND, HE SAID, THERE WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL FAMILY LAW BAR ASSOCIATION WHICH WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS TO WHICH THE LORD CHANCELLOR'S ORGANISATION, THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE JUDICIARY COULD TURN TO FOR VIEWS AND ADVICE.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN, MR THOMAS SAID THAT THE BRITISH BODY STRETCHED ITS INFLUENCE OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH WORK ING GROUPS, SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES.
HE SAID THAT THIS STIMULATED A GOOD DEAL OF THOUGHT OF PROBLEMS OF CHILD CARE AND MATTERS OF MATRIMONIAL REFORM,
BUT WHAT WAS NEEDED FOR HONG KONG WAS A MUCH WIDER COMMITTEE INVOLVING BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, FAMILY JUDGES, THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, PROBATION OFFICERS, MARRIAGE GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS, LEGAL AID AND OTHER INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING THOSE CONCERNED WITH WOMEN'S AFFAIRS GENERALLY.
MR THOMAS SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A STANDING COMMITTEE OR A STANDING LAW REFORM COMMITTEE THAT SPECIALISED IN THE WHOLE RANGE OF FAMILY LAW MATTERS, AND WHICH WOULD INVOLVE PEOPLE IN THE TASK OF KEEPING THE LAW UNDER REVIEW AND WHICH WOULD ALSO LIAISE WITH GOVERNMENT OVER WHAT CHANGES THOUGHT NECESSARY TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE CHANGING NEEDS OF SOCIETY.
IN HIS SPEECH MR THOMAS ALSO TOUCHED ON LEGISLATION DEALING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SAID THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD BE ASKED NEXT WEEK TO ADVISE WHETHER IT SUPPORTED THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION SIMILAR TO TWO STATUTES THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM HAD SINCE 1967 AND 1976.
HE SAID THAT REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY WOMEN'S GROUPS, THE PRESS, THE JUDICIARY AND THE ACADEMIC, MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE PROFESSIONS AND VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE A FINAL DRAFT OF THE PROPOSALS WAS READY TO BE PUT BEFORE EXCO.
ON ANOTHER PROPOSED REFORM, THAT OF RAISING THE PRESENT LIMITS ON MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN, MR THOMAS SAID THAT ORDERS FOR MAINTENANCE COULD BE MADE BY THE COURT FOLLOWING SEPARATION, IN THE CASE OF DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS, AND IN PATERNITY CASES.
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