XN000022-1990-09-21 — Page 4

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1990

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APPOINTMENTS TO LAW REFORM COMMISSION ANNOUNCED

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MR JEREMY MATHEWS, TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW MEMBER TO THE COMMISSION, MRS MIRIAM LAU.

MRS LAU IS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND A SOLICITOR. SHE SERVES ON A NUMBER OF COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE, THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH AND THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, SHE IS ALSO AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.

IN ANNOUNCING THE APPOINTMENT, MR MATHEWS WELCOMED THE ADDITION OF A MEMBER WITH MRS LAU'S BREADTH OF EXPERIENCE TO THE COMMISSION.

MRS LAU REPLACES MRS ROSANNA TAM WHO RETIRES AFTER THREE YEARS AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION. MR MATHEWS PAID TRIBUTE

TO MRS TAM'S WORK ON THE COMMISSION, IN PARTICULAR HER CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON "LOITERING".

MR MATHEWS ALSO ANNOUNCED THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF THREE MEMBERS TO THE COMMISSION: MR GRAHAM CHENG, MISS CHRISTINE LOH AND PROFESSOR EDWARD TYLER.

MR MATHEWS SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE THREE MEMBERS HAD AGREED TO CONTINUE WITH THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION.

"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ENSURE OUR LAWS ARE IN TUNE WITH SOCIETY'S NEEDS. THE COMMISSION PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN ACHIEVING THAT END AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, HE SAID.

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NEW AGE OF MAJORITY

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THE AGE OF MAJORITY (RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE 1990, WHICH CHANGES THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM 21 TO 18 FOR MOST PURPOSES, WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1, 1990.

FROM THAT DATE, PEOPLE REACHING THE AGE OF 18 CAN ENTER INTO CONTRACTS, BECOME COMPANY DIRECTORS AND MAKE VALID WILLS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

THERE ARE ALSO OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL CHANGES DEALING WITH LEGAL EFFECT OF AGE IN CIVIL LAW.

PERSONS AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 21 NEED THE CONSENT OF A PARENT OR QUARDIAN IN ORDER TO MARRY.

/THE ORDINANCE