XN000022-1992-11-04 — Page 7

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1992

"THE BILL THEREFORE PROVIDES

WILL HAVE TO BE REDUCED TO WRITING."

THAT IN FUTURE ALL JUDGEMENTS

BY CLAUSE 4, THE TIME LIMIT FOR APPEALING AGAINST A DECISION IN A CIVIL CASE WAS EXTENDED WITH A VIEW ΤΟ ENSURING THAT A PARTY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE JUDGE'S WRITTEN REASONS BEFORE HAVING ΤΟ DRAFT THE GROUNDS FOR ANY APPEAL.

AT PRESENT THE TIME LIMIT FOR APPEALING MIGHT EXPIRE BEFORE THE WRITTEN REASONS FOR THE JUDGMENT WERE AVAILABLE.

THE BILL ALSO ADDRESSED THE QUESTION OF RECORDING VERDICTS AND JUDGEMENTS IN CRIMINAL CASES. THE EXISTING PROVISION IN SECTION 80 OF THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE WAS LOOSELY WORDED.

CLAUSE 5 OF THE BILL SUBSTITUTED A NEW SECTION. THIS REQUIRED THE VERDICT AND ANY SENTENCE, TOGETHER WITH THE REASONS, ΤΟ BE ANNOUNCED ORALLY. THIS WAS FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE ACCUSED.

THAT THE VERDICT AND

THE CLAUSE ALSO PROVIDED FORMALLY RECORDED AT THE TIME OF HANDING DOWN, AND REDUCED TO WRITING WITHIN 21 DAYS.

SENTENCE BE THE REASONS

MR MATHEWS SAID THE JUDICIARY AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAD EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE PRINCIPLES OF THE BILL.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE BILL INTRODUCED TO LEGCO

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A BILL THAT SEEKS TO UPDATE THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE HAS BEEN INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

ONE OF THE PROPOSALS IS THE REMOVAL OF COLLECTIVE LIABILITY IMPOSED ON VILLAGERS COMMITTING THE OFFENCES OF FELLING, CUTTING, BURNING OR OTHERWISE DAMAGING OR DESTROYING TREES ON GOVERNMENT LAND.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE (AMENDMENT} BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN SOCIO- ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES, TREES WERE NO LONGER USED AS A SOURCE OF FUEL.

MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE IMPORTANT FORESTS AND PLANTATIONS ARE NOW PROTECTED UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE, HE SAID.

ANOTHER PROPOSAL SEEKS THE INCLUSION OF MORE DETAILED PROVISIONS IN RELATION TO POWERS OF INSPECTION, SEARCH, ARREST AND SEIZURE BY AUTHORISED OFFICERS AND THE ISSUE OF SEARCH WARRANTS.

/MR EASON