Index Reference: Courts: Practice & Procedure & Judiciary
CIRCULAR 21-189 (PA)
19 April 2021
COURTS
Typhoon and Rainstorm Warning Arrangements Updated on 19 April 2021
The Government may promulgate a territory-wide “extreme conditions” announcement in the aftermath of a typhoon, such as large-scale power outage, extensive flooding, major landslides and serious obstruction of public transport services.
The Judiciary has reviewed and updated its arrangements for the resumption of judicial proceedings and the re-opening of court / tribunal registries and offices, after the lowering of gale or rainstorm warning, in the light of the above “extreme conditions” arrangement.
When Pre-No.8 Special Announcement or Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above is issued In general,
when Pre-No. 8 Special Announcement is issued between 6:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., the Courts/Tribunals would have the hearings scheduled in the morning session adjourned until further notice.
the Courts/Tribunals would have the hearings adjourned when Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above is issued, and the court/tribunal registries and offices will also be closed.
When Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued In general, the courts/tribunals would have the hearings adjourned when a black rainstorm warning signal is issued before office opening hour, and the court/tribunal registries and offices will also be closed. If such signal is issued during office hours, the courts/tribunals would have the hearings adjourned but the court/tribunal registries and offices will remain open.
Resumption of Court Proceedings
Time of lowering / cancellation of Typhoon No.8 signal or above, or where appropriate, cancellation of “extreme conditions”
Time of resumption
At or before 6:00 a.m. on a working day (i.e. Monday to Friday)
Resume hearing at the usual scheduled time in the morning
Between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. or at 11:00 a.m. on a working day (i.e. Monday to Friday)
Resume hearing at 2:30 p.m. on the same day
After 11:00 a.m. on a working day (i.e. Monday to Friday
Remain adjourned for the whole day and resume at 9:30 am on the next working day
Re-opening of Court/Tribunal Registries and Offices
Time of lowering / cancellation of Typhoon No.8 signal or above, or where appropriate, cancellation of “extreme conditions”
Time of opening / re-opening
At or before 6:00 a.m. on a working day (i.e. Monday to Friday)
Normal opening time in the morning
After 6:00 a.m. to 2 hours or more before normal closing hours on a working day (i.e. Monday to Friday)
Reopen at a unified time (within 2 hours after the lowering / cancellation of Typhoon No.8 signal or above, or where appropriate, cancellation of “extreme conditions” on the same day
2 hours or less before their normal closing hour on Monday to Friday.
Remain closed until the next working day
Click here for the Usual Business Hours of Registries and Offices
Public Announcements
When Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 8 or above, an “extreme conditions” announcement or a black rainstorm warning signal is issued or cancelled, any public announcement by the Judiciary on the arrangements for courts and offices will be issued via the Government’s Information Services Department and are available on the Government's Press Releases webpage for public access.
Members may also wish to listen to the announcements on radio and television about the adjournment and resumption of hearings of the courts/tribunals and the closing and re-opening of court/tribunal registries and offices for confirmation.
Judiciary Contact List
The Judiciary Administrator has updated its “Stakeholders’ Contact List” effective as on 16 April 2021. Please click here for a copy of the list.
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