XN000022-1995-07-26 — Page 2

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Statement by Governor on CFA Bill

Following is a statement by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, on the Court of Final Appeal Bill:

"This has been a very good day for Hong Kong. I am delighted with the decisive outcome of the debate on the Court of Final Appeal Bill in the Legislative Council. It ends the uncertainty which has surrounded this issue for the last four years and ensures the continuity of the rule of law in Hong Kong. I am sure it will be welcomed by the whole community and by international investors as a vote of confidence in Hong Kong's future."

End/Wednesday, July 26, 1995

CS welcomes passage of CFA Bill

The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, welcomed today (Wednesday) the passage of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Bill by the Legislative Council (LegCo).

"We are very pleased that LegCo has passed the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (CFA) Bill. This is very good news for Hong Kong," Mrs Chan said.

"The Bill ensures continuity of the rule of law in Hong Kong through the transition and will safeguard public and international confidence in Hong Kong," she added. The CFA Bill was passed by LegCo today with 13 technical amendments put forward by the Attorney General.

"We have had uncertainty about the establishment of the CFA for too long. This has had a damaging effect on confidence in the judicial system in Hong Kong.

"Now that the CFA Bill has been passed, there will be no judicial vacuum in 1997 and we have absolute certainty that there will be a proper court of final appeal on 1 July 1997," she said.

The CFA Bill provides the framework for setting up the CFA in Hong Kong on 1 July 1997 in accordance with the provisions of the Bill itself. The CFA will be based on the established principles and practices of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and, subject to the Basic Law, have the same functions and jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.