The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
     The Judiciary announced today (December 19) that the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts will be relocated to the West Kowloon Law Courts Building (WKLCB), 501 Tung Chau Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon on December 28, and be renamed as the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.

     A Judiciary spokesman said, "At present, the Tsuen Wan Magistrate' Courts are located in the Tsuen Wan Law Courts Building. The relocation of the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts to the new WKLCB will enable the Judiciary to meet the increasing demand for court services and enhance the operational efficiency of the courts.

     "While the Tsuen Wan Law Courts Building currently has eight courtrooms, the new West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts will have a total of 16 courtrooms together with other support facilities such as witness protection rooms, witness waiting rooms, consultation rooms and a registry. After the relocation of the Tsuen Wan Magistrates’ Courts, the Judiciary will return the Tsuen Wan Law Courts Building to the government."

     The Small Claims Tribunal was relocated to the WKLCB and commenced operation on September 19. The Coroner's Court and the Obscene Articles Tribunal will be relocated to the WKLCB on January 16, 2017.

Ends/Monday, December 19, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:00

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