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The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Paul Tang, visited the Hong Kong Judiciary this afternoon (November 15) to learn more about the work of the Judiciary Administration and to take the opportunity to meet Judiciary staff.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Raymond Wong, Mr Tang met with the Judiciary Administrator, Miss Emma Lau, and the directorate staff. He noted that the Judiciary is committed to maintaining an independent and effective judicial system which upholds the rule of law and safeguards the rights and freedoms of the individual.
Mr Tang started with a tour of the court and observed Judicial Clerks and Court Interpreters at work in the court proceedings. He saw that colleagues in the Judiciary are keen to provide court support to judges and court users, as well as interpreting services for parties who speak different languages, so as to ensure the smooth operation of the courts in accordance with court procedures.
Subsequently, Mr Tang was briefed on the Digital Audio Recording and Transcription Services (DARTS) system, a digitised and multi-channel recording system used for recording court proceedings since 1996.
During the visit, Mr Tang also visited the Resource Centre for Unrepresented Litigants, which provides assistance to unrepresented litigants who are parties to, or are about to commence, civil proceedings in the High Court or the District Court.
Lastly, Mr Tang proceeded to the Mediation Information Office, Bailiff Section and Accommodation Section to better understand the daily work of the staff.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Tang met staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on relevant issues. He encouraged staff in the Judiciary to continue their good work in contributing to the administration of justice in Hong Kong by offering their professional and high quality services.
Ends/Friday, November 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:20
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