TNAG-1100-FCO40-1350-Law-revision-and-the-administration-of-justice-in-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 29

2.

20

Explanatory Memorandum

The main objects of this Bill are

(a) to increase the financial limits of the jurisdiction

(b)

(c)

of the District Court and the Small Claims Tribunal;

to confer on the District Court additional jurisdiction

relating to cause in the fields of merchant shipping

matrimonial causes, proceedings and property, legitimacy

and adoption; and

to provide an additional appeal in labour matters and

small claims to the Court of Appeal.

Clause 2(1) increases the financial limits of the

jurisdiction of the District Court and the Small Claims Tribunal

by amending the relevant sections of the Ordinances mentioned in

the First Schedule. Clause 2(2) and (4) allow the amounts to be

amended in future by resolution of the Legislative Council.

clause

2(3) provides for the rate of interest on judgment debts to be

fixed by the Chief Justice.

3.

Clause 3 makes consequential amendments to the provisions

mentioned in the Second Schedule by tying the amounts concerned to

the sums mentioned in the District Court Ordinance.

4.

}

Clause 4 transfers the jurisdiction in appeals in cases

involving the registration of seamen from a judge of the High

Court to a judge of the District Court.

5.

Clause 5 provides that, subject to rules relating to the

transfer of proceedings and the variation of existing orders,

proceedings under the Matrimonial Causes Ordinance shall be

commenced in the District Court. Clauses 7 and 8 make similar

provisions in relation to proceedings under the Matrimonial

Pro eedings and Property Ordinance and under the Adoption Ordinance.