Final phase of five-day week for Judiciary
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The Judiciary will implement the final phase of a five-day week from January 3, 2017. The court offices, which include court registries and accounts offices of various levels of court, Bailiffs' Offices, the Probate Registry and the Oaths and Declarations Office, will generally be closed on Saturdays. Their opening hours for Mondays to Fridays will become from 8.45am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm.
A spokesman for the Judiciary said, "The Judiciary will ensure that essential public services will not be affected as a result of the implementation of the final phase. Specifically, the proposals will not affect the handling of fresh remand cases at Magistrates' Courts, and urgent cases and applications made to various levels of court. These cases may continue to be handled outside office hours, including Saturdays, as necessary."
The spokesman added, "The Judiciary will also put in place administrative arrangements to facilitate the opening of court offices on Saturdays, as necessary, to cater for any possible bail payments and related applications."
Ends/Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:00
Issued at HKT 14:00
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