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Enhanced security measures at Wanchai Law Courts Building and West Kowloon Law Courts Building
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The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:

     The Judiciary announced today (October 14) that security screening will be implemented at the District Court in the Wanchai Law Courts Building (WLCB) from October 28, and the existing closed-circuit television (CCTV) recording in public areas in the West Kowloon Law Courts Building will be extended to all courtrooms in the Building from October 17.

     "Security screening is intended to prevent prohibited items, such as knives, scissors, liquids, etc, from being brought into the controlled areas of court premises," a spokesman for the Judiciary said.

     The security screening in the WLCB will cover the court floors of the District Court, i.e. 2/F, 4/F, 5/F, and 7/F to 12/F. Screening checkpoints will be located at the public entrances to the court lobbies of the concerned floors. Court users should follow the instructions of Judiciary staff and security personnel for undergoing security screening, including body screening by handheld metal detectors and bag inspections, before they can gain access to the controlled areas (including courtrooms, court lobbies and associated facilities) on these floors. A dedicated lane for screening will be assigned for regular court users (including mainly legal representatives and the media) to facilitate their access to the controlled areas.

     Out of security considerations, court users will not be allowed to bring water or drinks into the controlled areas of the District Court. Drinking water will be available in the controlled areas, and court users are encouraged to bring their own cups. Court users may also buy drinks from the vending machines within the controlled areas.   

     In implementing security screening at the District Court, the Judiciary will make every effort to enable smooth and orderly access of court users. However, the screening procedures will inevitably take time to complete. The Judiciary urges all court users to arrive at the District Court earlier, in particular during peak hours in the morning or after lunch break.
 
     As an additional measure to deter unruly behaviour or incidents inside courtrooms, starting from October 17, the existing CCTV recording in public areas of the West Kowloon Law Courts Building will be applied to all courtrooms in the Building for security and court operation purposes. Notices will be put up inside courtrooms to notify court users of this facility. This arrangement will be gradually extended to courtrooms in other law courts buildings having regard to operational experience.  
 
Ends/Friday, October 14, 2022
Issued at HKT 10:58
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