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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

with the long and well-established links of communication with rural people who live in the New Territories' 651 villages; their objective is to broaden the consultative process. The shape and style of the New Territories Administration has also changed. In 1976, the post of district officer at Tsuen Wan - where there is now a population of well over half a million - was upgraded to that of town manager with special responsibilities to promote and encourage community involvement. In 1977, Development and Community Affairs Divisions, each headed by an assistant secretary, were established to co-ordinate the administration's efforts in the districts.

In 1979, the Tai Po District was split, bringing the number of administrative districts to eight - Islands, Northern, Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. A regional commissioner was also appointed for the north-western New Terri- tories taking in the districts of Northern, Tai Po, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. The regional commissioner's task is to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of government policies in the region, to ensure that government policies are fully explained, and to see that the opinions of those living in the region are made known to the government. It is envisaged that there will be four regional commissioners covering the north, south, east and west of the New Territories as the population increases during the 1980s.

Foreign Relations

The foreign relations of the Hong Kong Government are the responsibility of the British Government, but Hong Kong is permitted a considerable degree of latitude with external trade. The territory's dependence on trade makes it necessary for the Hong Kong Govern- ment to operate offices in London, Washington, Geneva and Brussels to maintain and improve commercial relations with other countries.

Judiciary

The Chief Justice, the Justices of Appeal and the Judges of the High Court are appointed by Letters Patent issued under the Public Seal by the Governor on instructions from the Queen, conveyed through the Secretary of State. District judges are appointed by the Governor, by instrument under the Public Seal, and magistrates by the Governor by

warrant.

The Judiciary tries all prosecutions and determines civil disputes, whether between in- dividuals or between individuals and the government. The principle of English constitutional law, that in the performance of their judicial acts members of the Judiciary are completely independent of the executive and legislative'òrgans of the government, is fundamental in Hong Kong.

English common law and the rules of equity are in force in Hong Kong, so far as they may be applicable to local circumstances. English Acts of Parliament are in force in Hong Kong only if applied by a Hong Kong Ordinance, by their own terms, or by an Order in Council.

The courts of justice in Hong Kong are the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the District Court, the Magistrates' Courts, the Coroner's Court, the Tenancy Tribunal, the Labour Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal and the Small Claims Tribunal.

The Labour Tribunal provides speedy settlement of individual money claims arising from contracts of employment.

The Lands Tribunal adjudicates on statutory claims for compensation relating to land. The tribunal's province includes claims made under the Mass Transit Railway (Land