The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     Following is the opening remarks by the President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Mr Andrew Leung, on the judgement handed down by the Court of First Instance of the High Court at a media briefing at the LegCo Complex today (November 15):

     The Court of First Instance of the High Court handed down the judgement related to the oath taking of Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching this afternoon. The Court declared that the oaths that they purported to take on October 12, 2016 have contravened the Basic Law and the Oaths and Declarations Ordinance. The Court ruled that their oaths were invalid and have no legal effect. Since October 12, 2016, they have been disqualified from assuming the office of a member of LegCo and are not entitled to act as a member of LegCo.

     The Court has also declared that the LegCo President has no power to re-administer any further oaths to be taken by them.  The Court holds that although the Clerk or the President could determine whether the oath taken is in compliance with the law as and when circumstances practically require, the Court does have power to finally adjudicate the matters under challenged.

     I respect the judgement of the Court.  The LegCo Secretariat will take appropriate follow-up actions.

     As the Court has handed down the judgement, I sincerely hope that Members and the public can refocus on the LegCo businesses.

Ends/Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:25

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