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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary on April 7, 1999:

The Labour Tribunal will commence evening sittings on a trial basis with effect from today (Wednesday).

Under the pilot scheme, which was first announced by the Honourable Chief Justice Andrew Kwok-nang Li in January, three courts will operate from 6 pm to 9.30 pm from Monday to Friday.

A spokesman for the Judiciary said that only trials and mention cases will be fixed for night courts while call-over of cases and filing of claims will still be heard and handled in usual office hours.

"Members of the public should file their claims with the Registry during usual office hours (Monday to Friday: 9.15 am - 1 pm; 2 pm - 4.15 pm; Satruday: 9.15 am to 12.15pm) as the Registry would not be open during night courts," he said.

Fixing of trial cases for the night courts is at the discretion of the trial Presiding Officer and the criteria to be considered are as follows:

* cases of simple nature, not involving complicated areas of

facts or law;

* cases not involving large numbers of claimants or witnesses;

* cases not requiring interpreters;

* situation of the parties.

The pilot scheme is designed to cope with the substantial increase in the number of cases filed with the Labour Tribunal, which increased from 6 319 in 1997 to 9 476 in 1998.

"At present, there is a backlog of about 1 600 cases.

"It is expected that by running of additional courts, the daily intake of cases by the Tribunal will increase from 43 to 49, representing an increase of 15%," the spokesman said.

The Judiciary has employed three Presiding Officers and 14 supporting staff for the operation of the night courts.

The total cost for the operation is estimated at 5.4 million annually.

End/Wednesday, April 7, 1999

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