Q.
J.P.
SPEECH BY HON. P.C. WOO, C.B.E., J.P. ON WEDNESDAY, 20TH JUNE 1973
DISTRICT COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1973
'
In rising to support this and the other Bills
I concerning crime which are now before this Council. would like to mention that Members of a Committee set up by the Bar Association have made to the Unofficial Members certain representations against the provisions of the original four Bills.
The Unofficial Members are much obliged to the Committee both for their clearly presented written representations and for the benefit of their views which they heard when the Committee attended in the UMELCO Office for the purpose of an interview and further explanation.
The Members of the Committee explained why they were in doubt as to the wisdom of interfering with the existing limitations of jurisdiction in the District Court and the Magistracies. We appreciate the reasons for these views and have given them careful consideration. The Unofficials conclude that the change of jurisdiction proposed in the District Court represents the most effective and immediately practicable way of speeding up the disposition of the backlog of cases now facing the Supreme Court.
We support the Bill but recommend that, before the end of two years, a review should be carried out to see whether the Bill can be allowed to lapse and the additional jurisdiction relinquished.
/There is,
RESTRICTED-EMBARGOED
UNTIL.....4.30
20 JUN 1973
ON
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