ENG-1980 — Page 330

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

247

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 Territories taking in the districts of Northern, Tai Po, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. The regional com- missioner's task is to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of government policies in the region, to ensure that these 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 rapidly 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

ין

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 individuals or between individuals and the government. The principle of English con- stitutional law, that in the performance of their judicial acts members of the Judiciary are completely independent of the executive and legislative organs 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 Dis- trict 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 Resumption and Related Provisions) Ordinance, which deals with land acquired for the Mass Transit Railway.

The Small Claims Tribunal has the exclusive jurisdiction to deal with monetary claims involving amounts not exceeding $3,000. The procedure followed is simple, informal and legal representation is not allowed.

Magistrates exercise criminal jurisdiction over a wide range of indictable and summary offences. Their powers of punishment are restricted to a maximum of two years' imprison- ment or a $2,000 fine for any one offence, unless the law in regard to any particular offence prescribes that they may impose some higher penalty. Cumulative sentences of imprison-

Page 330Page 331