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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, in moving the resolution on the Matrimonial Causes (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 2009 in the Legislative Council today (March 18):
President,
I move that the resolution standing in my name on the agenda be passed. This motion aims to seek the approval of the Legislative Council for the Matrimonial Causes (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 2009 made by the Chief Judge of High Court under the Matrimonial Causes Ordinance.
At present, the taxation procedure under the Rules of the High Court and Rules of the District Court shall apply to matrimonial proceedings. Under the Civil Justice Reform, the taxation procedure was revised in 2008 to facilitate early settlement and to deter inflation of the amount claimed under a bill of costs. The Matrimonial Causes (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 2009, which are consequential legislative amendments in nature, aim to prescribe the relevant fees required for the application of the revised taxation procedure to matrimonial proceedings.
I invite Members to approve the resolution. Thank you.
Ends/Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:08
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