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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

The Judiciary announced today (Friday) that with effect from July 5, 1999, judicial proceedings will continue under rainstorm red warning signal.

The new arrangement is provided for after amendments made to remove the requirement for judicial proceedings to be adjourned upon the hoisting of a rainstorm red warning signal under the Judicial Proceedings (Adjournment During Gale Warnings) Ordinance (Cap. 62).

A spokesman for the Judiciary said that following the amendments, all courts and tribunals shall only be adjourned on the hoisting of the tropical cyclone No. 8 or above and rainstorm black warning signal, unless otherwise directed by a Judge or Judicial Officer in a particular instance.

On the resumption of court sittings, the spokesman explained that if the signal is lowered at or before 6 a.m., all courts and tribunals will open at their usual time on the same day.

If the signal is lowered between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. or at 10 a.m., all courts and tribunals will then open at 2:30 p.m.

"The purpose of the arrangement is to make efficient use of court time as well as to provide ample of time for all parties concerned to be able to arrive the courts in time," he said.

However, when the signal is lowered after 10 a.m., all courts and tribunals will remain closed for that day, save and except for the night courts of the Labour Tribunal which will use 2:30 p.m. as the deciding time.

When warning ceases on a weekday other than Friday, the adjourned proceedings shall be resumed on the next day, which is not a public holiday.

In case the warning ceases on a Friday, all judicial proceedings for the Court of Final Appeal, High Court, District Court and night courts of the Labour Tribunal will resume on the following Monday which is not a public Holiday.

For magistracies and tribunals, the proceedings will resume on the following Saturday which is not a public holiday.

The spokesman appealed to members of the public to listen to radio or television announcements to be made regarding the adjournment and resumption of proceedings upon the hoisting and lowering of the signal.

End/Friday, July 2, 1999

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