***************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
The Honourable Chief Justice Andrew Li said today (April 16) that he welcomed the Administration's agreement to the relocation of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) from its existing location at Battery Path to the present Legislative Council (LegCo) Building, upon LegCo's move to its new premises at Tamar.
The existing building of the CFA for all its attractiveness is manifestly inadequate in various aspects: for the judges, for counsel and solicitors, for the parties, for the media and the public. The relocation of the CFA to the present LegCo Building will result in much improvement and will enhance the smooth functioning of the CFA.
"The present LegCo Building was formerly the Supreme Court. It is a prestigious historic building in a prominent site. It is the most appropriate location for the CFA, having regard to the CFA's status as Hong Kong's final appellate court at the apex of our judicial system," added the Chief Justice.
The relocation will be carefully planned and organised over the next few years. "Every effort will be made to ensure that the functioning of the CFA will not be affected during the relocation," said the Chief Justice.
Ends/Thursday, April 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:30
NNNN
