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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

The juvenile courts will, with effect from tomorrow (Friday), adopt a new procedure concerning the admission of the press to court proceedings.

"A notice will be posted outside every juvenile court stating the categories of persons who are entitled to attend.

"Where in a particular case the Magistrate considers it necessary to exclude the press, a written notice shall then be posted outside the juvenile court during the period of exclusion," a spokesman for the Judiciary said.

"Reporters seeking entry should show, upon request, proof of their status as reporters for verification by the Magistrate.

"This is required so that the Magistrate can be satisfied that the person is a bona fide representative of the press," he added.

Section 3D(3) of the Juvenile Offenders Ordinance (Cap 226) provides that only certain categories of persons including bona fide representatives of the press can be present at sittings of the juvenile courts.

The statute prescribes in Section 20A certain restrictions on reporting of such proceedings.

The Court however has a discretion to exclude the press if it considers it necessary to do so in the interests of the child or young person.

"The new procedure is the result of a review initiated by the Chief Justice, the Hon Mr Justice Andrew Li, and conducted by Chief Magistrate, Mr Louis Tong, and the juvenile court Magistrates.

"It aims to standardize the position concerning the admission of the press to proceedings in juvenile courts," the spokesman said.

"The Chief Justice believes that there is a strong public interest in open justice and that the press has an important role in reporting on court proceedings," he added.

There are at present five juvenile courts among the 10 Magistracies, namely : Eastern, South Kowloon, Tsuen Wan, Shatin, and Tuen Mun.

End/Thursday, April 30, 1998

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