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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary :

A three-year pilot scheme to test the effectiveness of mediation in resolving matrimonial disputes in Hong Kong will be introduced by the end of this year.

The Honourable Mr Justice Michael John Hartmann, Judge of Court of First Instance of the High Court, made the announcement today (Tuesday).

Appointed by the Honourable Chief Justice, Mr Andrew Kwok-nang Li, in October 1997, a Working Group was formed to consider proposals for a practical, cost-effective pilot scheme for the introduction of mediation into family law litigation in Hong Kong.

Chaired by Mr Justice Hartmann, the Working Group consists of members who are representatives from the Family Mediation Committee of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center, Law Society of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Bar Association, Family Law Association, Law Reform Commission, Legal Aid Department and Social Welfare Department.

The Report has revealed that mediation, rather than litigation, was more appropriate for resolving certain types of disputes such as divorce and disputes relating to the custody of children and the splitting of family assets.

It also noted that experience of other common law jurisdictions had shown mediation could reduce litigation costs and court time required for dealing with matrimonial cases.

Under the newly announced pilot scheme, a Mediation Coordinator Office will be set up in the Family Court building, to provide information sessions to applicants on the process of mediation.

Suitable cases will be referred to qualified family mediators on a voluntary basis. Applicants will be given the choice of mediators from the Social Welfare Department, non-governmental organizations and private practice.

The mediation sessions will be provided free of charge. It is estimated that about 1500 cases will be funded under the pilot scheme which has a provision of six million dollars.

A steering committee will be commissioned to oversee the implementation of the pilot scheme, while an independent research team will be tasked to complete an interim report and a full evaluation on the effectiveness of the scheme, at the end of the second and third year respectively.

End/Tuesday, May 11, 1999

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