XN000022-1984-06-29 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 1984

HE IS CHAIRMAN OF TACHING PETROLEUM CO. LTD. AND SERVES ON

A NUMBER OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES INCLUDING THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE.

HE HAS RECENTLY SERVED ON THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S SUB-COMMITTEE ON LAWS ON INSURANCE, WHOSE REPORT IS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSION.

MR THOMAS WELCOMED THE ADDITION TO THE COMMISSION OF TWO LAY MEMBERS.

THE COMMISSION, HE SAID, RELIED HEAVILY ON MEMBERS WHO WERE NOT LAWYERS BECAUSE THEIR EXPERIENCE IN OTHER WALKS OF LIFE MADE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THOSE AREAS OF LAW REFORM CONCERNED WITH SOCIAL ISSUES OF THE DAY.

THE APPOINTMENTS OF MISS LOH AND MR CHENG FILL THE VACANCIES CAUSED BY THE RETIREMENTS OF MRS SELINA CHOW AND DR PHILIP KWOK AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THEIR TERMS AS COMMISSION MEMBERS.

POWER FOR JUDGES ON STATEMENTS PROPOSED

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JUDGES IN CRIMINAL TRIALS WILL BE EMPOWERED UNDER A BILL GAZETTED TODAY, TO DETERMINE THE ADMISSIBILITY OF DISPUTED STATEMENTS BEFORE A JURY IS EMPANELLED.

THE PROPOSAL IS MADE UNDER A CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.

AT PRESENT THE ADMISSIBILITY OF A DISPUTED STATEMENT MADE BY A DEFENDANT IS GENERALLY DETERMINED IN THE ABSENCE OF THE JURY, BEFORE ANY EVIDENCE IS GIVEN IN THE TRIAL AND AFTER THE JURY HAS BEEN EMPANELLED.

HE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE JURY WAS RECALLED FOR TRIAL, IT FREQUENTLY HAPPENED THAT ONE OR MORE JURORS WERE SICK OR UNAVAILABLE.

+IN THAT EVENT THE TRIAL MUST START AGAIN WITH NEW JURORS, WHICH ENTAILS A CONSIDERABLE WASTE OF TIME, HE SAID.

THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO ENABLE THE TAKING OF RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS AT A CRIMINAL TRIAL BY MECHANICAL OR OTHER MEANS IN ORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS.

/+THE PROPOSED