TNAG-2496-FCO40-3632-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macao-(Macau)-1992 — Page 54

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SCA and I visited Macau on 28 May. We had interesting

talks with the Under Secretary for Judicial Affairs, Dr de Almeida and the Under Secretary for Administration, Dr Rangel.

Laws of Macau

2.

Dr de Almeida said that Macau was now in the process of localising the five main Portugese codes (the criminal code, which was now with the Legislative Assembly; the criminal procedure code, which would be localised next year; the civil code and the administrative code, on both of which work was proceeding; and the Companies Act, which had now been localised and translated). In this process, these codes had been adapted

to Macau's needs and modernised. However the Macau Government had not yet started to think about adaptation to the Basic Law.

The Judiciary

3.

Previously all of the Macau judiciary was a part of

Even JP's were appointed by

the Portugese judicial system. Portugal. Appeals from the court of first instance in Macau were all to courts in Portugal.

4.

This system was now being changed. A new judiciary law would soon be promulgated by the Governor. (Few laws, it appears, need the approval of the Legislative Council.) the new system, the Macau magistrates would be

Under

appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of a local

CONFIDENTIAL