ENG-1952 — Page 154

IX

JUSTICE, RECORDS, POLICE AND PRISONS

The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court consisted throughout the year of the Chief Justice and three Puisne Judges. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction similar to that of Her Majesty's Courts of Queen's Bench, Common Pleas and Exchequer in England, the Judges having the power to hear and determine criminal and civil cases before a jury and to deliver convicts to gaol. The Judges also have jurisdiction in Probate, Divorce, Admiralty and Bankruptcy. It is also a Court of Equity with jurisdiction similar to that of the Court of Chancery in England, and has the same authority as the Lord High Chancellor of England to appoint and control guardians of infants and their estates, and keepers of persons of unsound mind who are unable to govern themselves and their estates.

The practice of the English Courts is in force in the Colony except where, being inapplicable to local circumstances, it has been modified by Hong Kong legislation. The civil procedure of the courts was codified by the Code of Civil Procedure, Ordinance No. 3 of 1901, which modified, and in some instances excluded, provisions made in the English Rules of Practice. The laws of England as they existed in that country on 5th April, 1843, are in force in the Colony except where such laws are inapplicable to local cir- cumstances or have been subject to local modification.

All civil claims above the sum of $5,000 are heard in the Court's Original Jurisdiction as well as all mis- cellaneous proceedings concerning questions arising on estates, appointments of trustees and company matters.

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