香港律政司司长2010年法律年度开启典礼致辞时间.doc

香港律政司司长2010年法律年度开启典礼致辞时间:2010-02-03 12:48来源:口译网 作者:口译网 点击:859次SJs Speech at Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2010The following is the speech by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, SC, at the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2010 on January 11:以下是香港律政司司长黄仁龙资深大律师1月11日在2010年法律年度开启典礼的致辞全文：Chief Justice, Chairman of the Bar Association, President of the Law Society, Members of the Judiciary, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,终审法院首席法官、大律师公会主席、律师会会长、司法机构各位成员、各位嘉宾：A very warm welcome to you all, particularly our guests from overseas and the Mainland.首先热烈欢迎各位来宾，特别是来自海外和内地的嘉宾，出席二一年法律年度开启典礼。As we begin a new decade, as well as a New Year, it is perhaps timely to review Hong Kongs place in a China which is now recognised as one of the great economic powers in a world which is still struggling to overcome the effects of the near collapse of its financial institutions. Almost all the analysis points to Hong Kong having an edge in our legal system: being part of China, yet having a separate and well-established legal system guarded by an independent judiciary, manned by a mature legal profession and trusted by the world. The annual Opening of the Legal Year is a fitting occasion to remind ourselves of the lynchpin of our success and to consider what more has to be done to strengthen it.新年伊始，又适逢踏入新的十年，这或是适当时候让我们检视香港在国家的定位；中国现已被视为世界经济大国之一，而整个世界却仍在奋力应付全球金融机构濒临倒闭所造成的影响。差不多所有分析都显示，香港的法律制度仍是我们优势之所在香港是中国的一部分，但拥有独立稳健的法律制度，这套法制受独立的司法机构维护，有精明干练的法律专业人员所支持，因而深受全球信赖。法律年度开启典礼提供一个适当的场合，让我们重温香港赖以成功的基石，同时思考在那些方面我们仍需努力，使其更加巩固。The foundation of our legal system is judicial independence. Despite the numerous constitutional and other challenges by way of judicial review, the Government does both appreciate and insist that the Court must continue to judge independently without fear or favour. With scrutiny by an able judiciary which is trusted by all, the Government has to be and has continued to be vigilant to ensure its actions, policies and legislative proposals are compliant with the law, particularly with regard to the rights protected under the constitution. 司法独立是香港法制的基础。尽管面对众多与宪制及政府其他行为有关的司法覆核，政府明白到并且会坚持，法院必须继续无惧无偏地作出独立的裁决。在健全和深受各界信赖的司法机构的监察下，政府务必并会一如既往地谨慎行事，确保政府的行为、政策及立法建议符合法律规定，特别是涉及宪法保障的权利方面。However, I would just echo the Chief Justices remarks that the Court should not be burdened with essentially political or economic issues, and trust that the Courts discretion on costs would be appropriately exercised so as to get that message across.不过，我亦想呼应终审法院首席法官所提出的意见，就是不应把本质属政治或经济问题的案件压在法庭的肩膊。我相信法院会适当地行使裁定讼费的酌情权，从而把有关信息向大家传达。Prosecutorial independence is another important pillar in the administration of justice. After more than a decade of dedicated service as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Grenville Cross SC retired last October and was succeeded by Mr Ian McWalters SC. A new DPP provides an opportunity for a new look at the needs of the Prosecutions Division and how it can more effectively serve the community. As a first step, young counsel are being given more exposure to trial advocacy and sub-divisions have been streamlined to ensure greater specialisation and efficiency.独立的检控工作是执行司法工作另一个重要支柱。江乐士资深大律师竭诚担任刑事检控专员超过十年后，于去年十月退休，并由麦伟德资深大律师接任该职。刑事检控专员的新任命提供一个机会，让我们可从一个新角度审视刑事检控科的需要，并探讨如何更有效地服务社会。作为第一步，我们现正安排更多机会让年青的同事取得出庭讼辩的经验，并已精简各分科的职务，以确保各分科的职务更专门化和更有效率。To increase the accessibility of legislation, the Department is also taking steps to make both the English and Chinese texts more readable and comprehensible. These include measures to simplify the language and to promote greater uniformity and consistency in its use, the adoption of a gender-neutral drafting policy and improvements to the appearance of our legislation. A feasibility study has also been commissioned on the establishment and maintenance of a verified and authenticated electronic database of Hong Kong legislation. 为了使公众更易取览和阅读香港法例，本司亦采取多项措施，令香港法例的中英文版本都更易读易明；其中包括行文去繁就简，用语贯彻统一，不以男性为用语中心的法律草拟政策及改善香港法例的版面设计等。此外，我们亦考虑设立一个香港法例电子资料库，其内容将予核实、认证和不断更新，为此我们已委聘顾问进行可行性研究。Expansion of Hong Kongs capacity as an international arbitration centre continues to be a prime policy objective. The Arbitration Bill, aiming at bringing the domestic arbitration regime in line with the Model Law of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), is now before a Bills Committee of the Legislative Council. New UNCITRAL initiatives to be implemented include conferring on the Hong Kong court the power to recognise and enforce interim measures ordered by an arbitration tribunal sitting outside Hong Kong.加强香港作为国际仲裁中心的能力，继续是我们主要的政策目标。我们已将仲裁条例草案提交立法会的法案委员会审议。仲裁条例草案的目的，是使本地的仲裁制度跟联合国国际贸易法委员会（“贸法委”）示范法一致。我们将会落实新的贸法委措施，包括授予香港法院权力，以承认和执行香港以外的仲裁庭所颁令的临时措施。It is encouraging to learn that the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, which established a secretariat in Hong Kong in 2008, is making good progress. By November last year, it was administering 120 arbitrations that were conducted in the region. The number of arbitrations handled by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre in 2008 has also reached a record high of 602 cases. These figures are proof that arbitration is gaining popularity in Asia and Hong Kong is well-placed to serve as a regional hub for international arbitration.国际商会国际仲裁院于二八年在香港设立秘书处分处后，发展进度良好，令人十分鼓舞。截至去年十一月，该秘书处分处处理的区内仲裁个案有120宗。与此同时，香港国际仲裁中心在二八年处理了602个仲裁个案，数目亦为有纪录以来最高。这些数据证明，仲裁在亚洲已日趋普及，而香港亦已具备条件，成为区域性的国际仲裁枢纽。As regards promotion of mediation, I am pleased to report that the cross-sector Working Group on Mediation has completed our Report and recommendations. We are now finalising the Chinese translation, and expect to release our Report in early next month for public consultation. Meanwhile, with a view to supporting the Practice Direction on mediation just implemented, the Working Group has promulgated the Hong Kong Mediation Code, which recommends standards expected of mediators in Hong Kong and a sample Agreement to Mediate.在推广调解服务方面，我很高兴让大家知道，跨界别调解工作小组已完成报告和建议。我们现正就报告的中文译本定稿，预计可于下月初发表报告，并进行公众谘询。同时，工作小组颁布了香港调解守则，就调解员在香港应有的水平作出建议，并提供调解协议样本，以配合刚实施的调解实务指示。I have already written to mediation service providers to encourage them to adopt the Code and to set up a robust complaints and disciplinary process for its enforcement. In addition, the Working Group has also launched the Mediate First Pledge, with leading businesses vowing to mediate before litigating. A pilot project is also underway making available two community centres for use as venues for community mediation.我已去信各个调解服务提供者，鼓励他们采用守则，并设立健全的申诉及纪律审裁程序，以执行守则。除此之外，工作小组亦推出“调解为先承诺书”，让各主要商业机构承诺在展开诉讼之前会先尝试调解。我们亦已推行试验计划，提供两个社区中心作为社区调解场地。To further internationalise Hong Kongs legal services and thereby enhance Hong Kongs position as a legal service hub in the Asia Pacific, a Bill to enable solicitors to form limited liability partnerships (LLPs) is expected to be introduced to the Legislative Council within the current legislative session.为了进一步使香港的法律服务国际化，以提升香港作为亚太区法律服务枢纽的地位，我们预计在本立法会会期内提交条例草案，让事务律师能够以有限法律责任合伙模式经营业务。Stakeholders are being consulted on our legislative proposals, which recognise the need to strike a proper balance between limiting professional liability on the one hand and safeguarding public interests on the other. We believe LLPs would encourage small local firms to join forces to diversify their practice, and also attract more foreign law firms operating as LLPs to come to Hong Kong.我们正就立法建议征询持份者的意见；有关建议认同有需要在限制专业法律责任与保障公众利益两者间求取适当平衡。我们相信，有限法律责任合伙模式可以鼓励本地小型律师行共同经营，使业务更多元化，同时亦可吸引更多采用有限法律责任合伙模式经营的外国律师行来香港发展业务。The Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2009 to enable solicitors to exercise higher rights of audience in the High Court and the Court of Final Appeal will resume its second reading on January 20. We expect the Bill to be enacted within the current legislative session. Under the Bill, solicitors who satisfy the eligibility requirements would be able to apply to an assessment board for higher rights of audience.2009年法律执业者（修订）条例草案旨在容许事务律师享有高等法院及终审法院出庭发言权。该条例草案将于一月二十日恢复二读辩论，我们预期条例草案可于本立法会会期内通过成为法例。根据该条例草案，事务律师如符合资格规定，便可向评核委员会申请享有较高级法院出庭发言权。We anticipate the assessment board would be in a position to invite applications within one year after the Bills enactment and after the necessary subsidiary legislation has been made. The public will then have a wider choice of advocates able to meet the standards required in the higher courts.我们预期，评核委员会可于条例草案制定及所需附属法例订立后一年内接受申请。届时公众在找寻符合较高级法院所需讼辩水平的出庭代讼人时，便可有更多选择。Moving on to the Mainland legal services market, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement has been instrumental in opening the door for Hong Kongs legal profession. However, experience in the past few years tells us that further development should be strategic and specific, both in terms of locality and measures.至于内地法律服务市场方面，内地与香港关于建立更紧密经贸关系的安排已发挥重要作用，为香港的法律专业打开通往内地的大门，但过去数年的经验显示进一步的发展，就地区及措施两方面而言，都需要有策略性和针对性的考虑。Under the Supplement implemented since October 1, 2009, the criteria for forming association with Guangdong law firms and the period of pre-qualification training to be undertaken by those who passed the national judicial examination have been relaxed. The former is a pilot measure which we hope may be expanded to the rest of the Mainland if it proves effective and beneficial.根据自二九年十月一日起实施的补充协议，有关与广东省律师事务所组成联营的准则和已通过国家司法考试的律师取得资格前的培训时间规定都已放宽。前者是“先行先试”的措施，我们希望如证实有关措施具有成效和益处，可以推展至内地其他地区。The Arrangement with the Mainland on Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters, which came into effect in August 2008, demonstrates the goodwill and versatility on both sides to strengthen judicial co-operation. Statistics have revealed that since 2006, about 30% of marriages registered in Hong Kong annually involved a Mainland party. At present, there is no legal mechanism to facilitate recognition and summary enforcement of matrimonial orders, raising concerns regarding the welfare of ex-spouses and children of such marriages.已于二八年八月生效的香港与内地签订的相互执行民商事判决的安排，充分显示双方在加强司法合作方面的诚意和多元发展能力。统计数字显示，由二六年开始，每年在香港注册的婚姻中，婚姻一方为内地人士的约占三成。目前，我们并无法律机制可达成对有关婚姻及家事命令的承认或以简易程序的方式强制执行这些命令，这都令人关注到跨境婚姻中的前配偶和子女的福利是否得到充够保障。The Department is now reviewing the relevant issues and has conducted initial discussions with the Supreme Peoples Court on establishing a mechanism to facilitate the mutual recognition and enforcement of matrimonial orders made by the courts.律政司现正检讨相关的事宜，并已就设立机制以便相互承认和执行法院所作出有关婚姻及家事的命令，与最高人民法院进行初步讨论。On the related question of divorce decrees obtained outside Hong Kong, where our courts do not currently have jurisdiction to entertain applications for financial relief, we will propose a bill to amend the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Ordinance (Chapter 192) later this year, so that the court would in certain circumstances be empowered to deal with such applications.关于在香港以外地区获批离婚判令的相关问题，本港法院现时并无司法管辖权受理财政济助的申请，我们会在今年稍后时间提出条例草案，以修订婚姻法律程序与财产条例(第192章)，使法院在某些情况下获赋权处理该等申请。To maintain our status as an international city and the preferred gateway to China, we must take advantage of our unique status under the Basic Law and participate in the wider legal fraternity. For instance, as a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Hong Kong has been contributing towards the promulgation of international standards to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. Last year, the Department representing Hong Kong, China, took up a two-year appointment as co-chair of an Expert Working Group reviewing certain of the recommended legal standards, to improve their efficacy and implementation across member jurisdictions.香港既是一个国际城市，也是进入中国的首选门廊，要维持我们的地位，我们必须善用在基本法下所享有的独特优势，并且参与国际法律同业的事务。举例来说，香港作为打击清洗黑钱财务行动特别组织（特别组织）的成员，一直致力协助制定打击清洗黑钱及恐怖分子融资活动的国际标准。去年，本司代表中国香港，获委任为一个专家工作小组的联合主席，任期两年。该专家工作小组负责检讨建议的若干法律标准，以期提高成效和改善在各司法管辖区成员的实施情况。International co-operation, particularly in the form of multilateral treaties, presents challenges. One example is the increase of claims under what is known as the UN Convention Against Torture. I am pleased to learn that a Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements with the Duty Lawyer Service was concluded just before Christmas to enable screening of claims to resume in compliance with the legal requirements. After receiving the training organised by the profession, over 220 lawyers have been accredited by the Service to provide legal representation to claimants. I would like to express my gratitude to the legal profession for their assistance in this difficult situation.参与国际间的合作，特别是多边条约形式的合作，也带来挑战。举例来说，根据联合国禁止酷刑公约提出的声请有所增加。我很高兴得悉刚在圣诞节之前，我们与当值律师服务签订了行政安排备忘录，使我们能够按照有关法律的要求，恢复进行审核声请的工作。在接受业界举办的培训后，有超过220名律师已获当值律师服务认可，可以担任声请人的法律代表。对于法律专业在这个困难问题上所提供的协助，我深表谢意。The pursuit of economic progress and integration with the Mainland can and should be undertaken without compromising the One Country, Two Systems principle. Amidst rapid changes globally and ever increasing economic integration and social interaction with the Mainland, there is no room for indifference or inertia. Hong Kong must embrace these challenges.谋求经济发展和与内地融合，可以并且应该在不损害“一国两制”原则的情况下进行。全球急剧转变，香港与内地之间的经济融合和社会交流日趋紧密，在这形势下，香港不可能固步自封，停滞不前。我们必须奋力迎接这些挑战。I should like to conclude by expressing our deep gratitude to the Chief Justice for his historic role in the successful implementation of the One Country, Two Systems principle and in the establishment of the Court of Final Appeal. With the impressive legal talent which he has recruited into the judiciary over the years, we have every confidence that our judges led by the new Chief Justice will continue to serve Hong Kong staunchly in the protection of the rule of law.最后，我谨向终审法院首席法官致以最衷心的谢意，他在成功落实“一国两制”原则及设立终审法院这些历史性任务上居功至伟。多年来，他为司法机构物色了不少能干的法律人才，我们深信，新任终审法院首席法官定能领导我们的司法群英继续坚决捍卫香港的法治。It only remains for me to wish you all good health and a happy new year.最后，我谨祝各位身体健康，新年快乐。原文链接：http:/www.kouyi.org/field/law/1124.html