It is also considered appropriate to bring the powers of the District Court into line with those of the High Court in two respects. First, the proposed new section 48B, contained in clause 22, gives a District Judge the same powers as a judge of the High Court to punish a person for disobeying a court judgment or order, or a breach of undertaking. Secondly, new sections contained in clause 22 introduce procedures for disclosure in respect of proceedings for personal injuries, and proceedings arising out of the death of a person. These procedures will enable a person who is, or is likely to be, bringing such proceedings to apply to the court for an order requiring another person to produce to the applicant's legal or other professional adviser documents that are relevant to the claim.
Clauses 13. 14 and 15 provide for heavier penalties for various offences by officers of the court who abuse their authority, and clauses 16 and 17 provide for heavier penalties for persons who wrongfully retake goods seized by the court, or who assault officers of the court. Most of the existing penalties were set in 1962.
Mr President, this Bill represents a further reform to the administration of justice in Hong Kong and I commend it to this Council for early passage into law.
End
Submarine Telegraph Bill 1996
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Stephen Ip, in moving the second reading of the Submarine Telegraph Bill 1996 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
I move that the Submarine Telegraph Bill 1996 be read a second time.
The purpose of this Bill is to localise the UK Submarine Telegraph Act 1885 which currently forms part of the law of Hong Kong. The Act and the Convention for the Protection of Submarine Cables on which the Act is based are still relevant to Hong Kong today. The main purpose is to protect submarine cables which are an essential part of our modern telecommunications infrastructure.
The Bil! basically replicates the provisions of the UK Act but with modifications to conform to Hong Kong's legislative style, with updated penalties and with omissions where there are already comparable provisions or where the Act's provisions are archaic.