HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 11 January 1989
香港立法局 一九八九年一月十一日
that section to enable this information to be set out as a note across the rather than in the margin.
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The reasons for the amendment are to facilitate the faster and more economical preparation of legislation. These reasons are similar to those for amending the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance.
Sir, I move that the debate on this motion be now adjourned.
Question on adjournment proposed, put and agreed to.
SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second Reading of: "A Bill to amend the Supreme Court Ordinance".
He said: Sir, I move the Second Reading of the Supreme Court (Amendment) Bill 1988.
This Bill marks the start of a programme of legislation aimed at replacing with Hong Kong Ordinances the extensive body of United Kingdom enactments which apply to Hong Kong and are consequently part of our law. These United Kingdom enactments cannot remain part of our law after 1997 as this would be inconsistent with the status of Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and with the Joint Declaration. Steps must therefore be taken to replace those which will need to continue beyond 1997 and with our own legislation.
Turning to the Bill, the jurisdiction of the High Court in relation to admiralty matters is at present contained in certain United Kingdom enactments which apply or have been extended to Hong Kong. This jurisdiction is of vital importance to Hong Kong for it recognizes and complements Hong Kong's position as a major centre for shipping, ship-owning and ship management and as a forum where shipping disputes can be resolved through our courts, using the services of highly experienced judges and lawyers specializing in maritime law. Clearly, the High Court's jurisdiction over maritime disputes must continue beyond 1997.
The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Supreme Court Ordinance so that the civil jurisdiction of the High Court in relation to admiralty matters is specified in that Ordinance and to repeal, so far as they are part of our law,
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