XN000022-1977-04-13 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1977

LEGAL DEPARTMENT TRAINING RECRUITS

FOR PROSECUTION DUTIES IN MAGISTRACIES

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THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY TRAINING SIX RECRUITED PERSONNEL TO RELIEVE POLICE OFFICERS OF THE TASK OF CONDUCTING PROSECUTIONS IN MAGISTRATES COURTS.

FOUR MEN AND TWO WOMEN, AGED BETWEEN 25 AND 31, HAVE BEEN ENGAGED SINCE LAST MONTH IN A PILOT SCHEME UNDER WHICH THEY HAVE TO UNDERGO ABOUT SIX MONTHS TRAINING. AFTER THE TRAINING THEY ARE EXPECTED TO REPLACE THE POLICE PROSECUTING OFFICERS IN TWO MAGISTRACIES ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

TWO SENIOR CROWN COUNSELS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED THE JOB OF TRAINING THE RECRUITS ON A FULL TIME BASIS. THE TRAINING WILL INCLUDE INSTRUCTION IN COURT PROCEDURE, THE LAW OF EVIDENCE, CRIMINAL LAW AND ADVOCACY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT IF THE SCHEME PROVES TO BE SUCCESSFUL THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON WHY IT SHOULD NOT BE EXTENDED TO ALL MAGISTRACIES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HE EMPHASIZED HOWEVER THAT THE POLICY OF CROWN COUNSEL PROSECUTING IN MAGISTRACIES IN SERIOUS OR COMPLICATED CASES WILL NOT CHANGE.

HE SAID THAT THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SCHEME ARE TWO-FOLD : FIRSTLY, IT WILL RELEASE VITAL POLICE MANPOWER TO ASSIST IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, AND SECONDLY, IT WILL CREATE A CLASS OF PERMANENT AND FULLY TRAINED PROSECUTORS UNDER THE DIRECT CONTROL OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

AT THE MOMENT POLICE INSPECTORS ARE ASSIGNED TO COURTS ON PROSECUTION DUTIES FOR A SHORT PERIOD AND AS A RESULT OF THE HIGH TURNOVER, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DEVELOP A DEPTH OF EXPERTISE, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.

IT IS BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG IS THE FIRST TERRITORY IN THE COMMONWEALTH TO INTRODUCE A SYSTEM EMPLOYING TRAINED LAY PROSECUTORS IN LIEU OF POLICE OFFICERS TO PROSECUTE CRIMINAL CASES IN MAGISTRATES COURTS.

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