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| Even the High Court will have only a few cases scheduled until next month |
In an unprecedented move, the Judiciary has declared a General Adjournment of Proceedings (GAP), postponing all court hearings and trimming down its operations to the most essential in administering justice, from Monday, Mar 7 to Apr 11.
The month-long slowdown in court services is aimed at preventing the gathering of people amid the surge in coronavirus cases in Hong Kong.
“This GAP will substantially reduce the capacity and
business of the courts, hence significantly enhancing social distancing and
crowd control in all court premises,” the Judiciary said in a press statement.
It came after weeks of seeing a growing number of litigants
asking to adjourn their cases for being “unfit to attend” due to Covid-19.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
“The Judiciary has been closely monitoring the public health
situation since the outbreak of the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in
January,” it said.
During this period, “the capacity and operations at all
levels of court will be substantially reduced.…. striking a balance between
public health considerations and due
administration of justice,” it said.
For example, at the magistracies, where majority of court
cases are filed, the tasks will be limited to:
• Fresh
remand cases.
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• Cases
with defendants in custody who have the legal rights to appear before
a Magistrate to review his/her remand situation (“eight-day cases”).
• Ongoing
and part-heard trials as directed by the Court Trials as directed by the Court
having regard to the urgency and other circumstances of the case.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
• Cases
with defendants remanded in custody pending reports as directed by the Court
having regard to the circumstances of the case.
• Sentencing
cases with defendants remanded in custody as directed by the Court having
regard to the circumstances of the case.
Other levels of the court – Court of Final Appeal, Court of
Appeal, Court of First Instance, District Court, Family Court, Lands Tribunal,
Juvenile Court, Labour Tribunal, Small Claims Tribunal, Coroner’s Court –
listed similarly trimmed functions.
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At the same time, all existing preventive and crowd management measures will be maintained, including enhanced cleaning and disinfection of public and staff areas and mandatory body temperature check and the wearing of surgical masks within court premises.
Visitors will continue to be required to use the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app and to show their vaccine certificates upon entry into Judiciary premises, the
announcement said.
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| BASAHIN ANG DETALYE! |
Litigants and their lawyers who have Covid-19 symptoms such as fever, or are subject to any quarantine requirement or medical surveillance or compulsory testing while waiting for test results, or who have preliminarily tested positive or tested positive for COVID-19, will also not be allowed to enter.
“They should apply to the court as soon as practicable for permission of absence or inform the court with reasons for absence as appropriate,” it added.
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