XN000022-1995-03-31 — Page 31

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"The move is to make room for the expansion of the District Court. It will also mean an improvement in the facilities for the Family Court," the Judiciary Administrator, Ms Alice Tai Yuen-ying said.

"The new premises for the family courts will provide a more comfortable environment with better illumination, waiting areas and consultation rooms," she said.

Noting that the number of applications for divorce jurisdictions filed had increased substantially from 6,767 in 1990 to 9,272 in 1994 - up 37 per cent in five years, she said the number of Family Court judges would be increased from three to four from April to cope with increasing caseload and to speed up the handling of

cases.

End/Friday, March 31, 1995

All-day hotline on building matters

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The Buildings Department will operate a 24-hour telephone and facsimile enquiry service to provide information on building matters to the public, starting tomorrow (April 1).

The public may call "The Buildings Department Enquiry Hotline" at 2868 9229 to obtain information in Cantonese or English on building safety, building defects, unauthorised building works, alteration works to existing buildings, demolition works and building works in progress.

The department aims to improve its existing enquiry service by expanding its operation into a round-the-clock service seven days a week. It has been operating a telephone enquiry (2848 2222) service which is switched to recording mode after normal office hours.

End/Friday, March 31, 1995