TNAG-1704-FCO40-2376-Crime-and-sentencing-in-Hong-Kong-various-ordinances-1988 — Page 20

contravention of the rules referred to in subsection (11)

of this section as it does to a report published or

broadcast in contravention of that section.

Dispensing with

attendance

of witness.

18. (1) Whenever in the course of a preparatory

hearing it appears to the judge that the attendance of any

witness at the trial after the jury has been empanelled

cannot be procured without an amount of expense or

inconvenience which under the circumstances of the case

would be unreasonable, the judge may allow the witness to

give his evidence at the preparatory hearing.

(2) Where evidence is given pursuant to subsection

(1) the prosecutor or the accused (as the case may be)

shall be given full opportunity of cross-examining the

witness.

(3)

Evidence given pursuant to this section shall be

reduced to writing, read over to and signed by the witness

and also by the judge.

(4)

Evidence taken pursuant to this section may be

admitted in evidence at the trial after the jury has been

empanelled even though the deponent is not called as a

witness.