The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     The Judiciary today (February 13) announced that in view of public health considerations, all hearings of the courts/tribunals originally scheduled from February 17 (Monday) to February 23 (Sunday) will generally be adjourned to a date to be fixed. 
        
     Despite the general adjournment, the courts will continue to handle urgent and essential hearings/matters during this period. These include fresh remand cases, urgent and essential criminal matters including bail-related and sentencing hearings, and other urgent applications to the courts. They will continue to be handled in accordance with the established mechanisms including the Duty Judge system. Parties or others concerned will continue to be separately notified by the respective courts of the details in respect of the above hearings/matters.
 
     Court/tribunal registries and offices will continue to be closed until February 23 except for providing support for the handling of the above urgent and essential court hearings/matters.
 
     For enquiries regarding general arrangements on the court businesses during the period, the following hotlines are being operated from Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm:
 

• General Information: 2869 0869
• Court of Final Appeal: 2123 0123
• High Court: 2523 2212
• Probate: 2840 1683
• District Court: 2845 5696
• Family Court: 2840 1218
• Lands Tribunal: 2771 3034
• Labour Tribunal: 2625 0020
• Small Claims Tribunal: 2877 4068
• Magistrates' Courts: 2677 8373

     The Judiciary will continue to post updated information including Daily Cause Lists and advice to court users visiting the courts during this period on the Judiciary website (www.judiciary.hk). Court users are advised to check the website for updated information as necessary.

Ends/Thursday, February 13, 2020
Issued at HKT 20:36

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