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Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to be gazetted
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     The Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2012 will be gazetted this Friday (April 20) to propose a number of amendments to certain ordinances.

     A spokesman for the Department of Justice said today (April 18), "The amendments are largely technical and non-controversial, but are important for improving the existing legislation."

     Following are the major proposed amendments covered by the Bill:

* To insert a provision in the Crimes Ordinance to abolish the common law presumption that a boy under 14 is incapable of sexual intercourse as recommended by the Law Reform Commission.

* To amend certain provisions in the Legal Practitioners Ordinance and the Legal Services Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 1997 so as to enable the relevant provisions of the latter and the Solicitor Corporation Rules to be brought into operation.

* To amend the Legislation Publication Ordinance and the Laws (Loose-leaf Publication) Ordinance 1990 to give wider editorial power to the Secretary for Justice in preparing and updating the Laws of Hong Kong.

     The Legislative Council's Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services has been consulted on the proposals in the Bill.

     The Bill will be introduced in the Legislative Council on May 2.

Ends/Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:30

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