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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
As part of the Civil Justice Reform (CJR) to be implemented from April 2, consequential legislative amendments under the Matrimonial Causes (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 2009 will be submitted to the Legislative Council for approval.
The legislative amendments are technical in nature. "They seek to follow certain features on taxation under the new Rules of High Court and the Rules of District Court, which were accepted and enacted by the Legislative Council under the CJR last year," a spokesman for the Judiciary said.
The Chief Judge of the High Court made the Matrimonial Causes (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 2009 on February 24.
The intention is to seek the approval of the Legislative Council for the Rules on March 18, the spokesman added. Subject to the approval of the Legislative Council, the Rules will come into operation on April 2.
CJR seeks to improve rules and procedures in civil proceedings. The main objectives of CJR are to streamline and improve the civil procedures; encourage and facilitate settlement; and enable judicial resources to be better distributed and utilised.
Ends/Thursday, February 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:10
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