TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 75

SPEECH BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, 15 MAY 1985

Matrimonial Causes (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 1985

Resolution

Sir,

I move the motion standing in my name on the Order

Paper. The motion seeks this Council's approval for the Matrimonial

Causes (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 1985 made by the Chief Justice under

the Matrimonial Causes Ordinance.

These Rules introduce a 'block fee' system with the aim

of increasing efficiency and reducing inconvenience to the public

and the legal profession.

Instead of a fee charged for each document

filed at Court, a larger fee to be charged for all documents filed at

various stages of an action. This system has already been introduced

under the Supreme Court (Fees) Rules and the District Court (Fees)

Rules.

The increase in the fees also reflects inflation since 1976,

when the fees were last reviewed. The new fees are consistent with

the fees set in the Supreme Court (Fees) Rules and the District Court

Fees (Rules).

Sir, I beg to move.

Page 75Page 76