***********************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

The Judiciary today (October 25) published the Guide to Judicial Conduct (the Guide).

"It is of fundamental importance that judges must at all times observe the highest standards of conduct. This is essential for the maintenance of public confidence in the Judiciary and the administration of justice," said the Hon Chief Justice Mr Andrew Kwok-nang Li.

"The purpose of the Guide is to provide practical assistance to judges in dealing with matters relating to judicial conduct. I am confident that it will serve its purpose," the Chief Justice added.

In September 2002, the Chief Justice appointed a Working Party to advise on the subject of developing a Guide to Judicial Conduct. The Working Party is chaired by the Chief Judge of the High Court ex officio, and comprises judges from each level of the courts.

In December 2002, after consultation with judges, the Working Party recommended to the Chief Justice that a Guide to Judicial Conduct should be drafted, and that the Guide should be made available to the public to increase transparency. The Chief Justice accepted the Working Party's recommendation. Drafting work proceeded. In July 2004, after consultation with judges, the Working Party recommended that the Guide be adopted and the Chief Justice accepted the recommendation.

In developing a Guide that is appropriate for Hong Kong's circumstances, the Working Party has drawn on the experience of a number of overseas jurisdictions which have adopted a Guide in recent years, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and also the experience of England and Wales which have adopted Guidelines on outside interests and activities and are considering developing a full Guide.

The Guide contains the following parts:

Part A : Purpose of the Guide

Part B : Guiding Principles

Part C : The Discharge of Judicial Duties

Part D : Matters Concerning Disqualification

Part E : Professional Activities Outside Court

Part F : Non-judicial Activities

"As recommended by the Working Party, the Guide is made available to the public to increase transparency. It will be reviewed from time to time," the Chief Justice said.

The Guide can be downloaded at http://www.judiciary.gov.hk/en/publications/gjc_e.pdf.

Ends/Monday, October 25, 2004

NNNN