The following is issued on behalf of the Road Safety Council: The Road Safety Council (RSC) and Kowloon East Traffic Headquarters of the Hong Kong Police Force will jointly hold Join Hands for Road Safety cum Sau Mau Ping Road Sa… read more
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 18) released the latest grading of water quality of four gazetted beaches which are open all year round for swimming.
Four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | |
| Golden Beach | |
| Repulse Bay Beach | |
| Silverstrand Beach |
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, January 18, 2019 is 103.7 (up 0.1 against yesterday’sindex). read more
The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, and the Vice-president of the Supreme People’s Court, Mr Yang Wanming, signed an arrangement on reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments (REJ) in civil and commercial matters in Beijing today (January 18).
The Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters between the Courts of the Mainland and of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Arrangement) seeks to establish a bilateral legal mechanism with greater clarity and certainty for REJ in civil and commercial matters between the two places.
Hong Kong has by now concluded six arrangements with the Mainland concerning various aspects of mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters. Among them, the Arrangement is the third one providing for REJ between the two places in civil and commercial matters.
By establishing a more comprehensive mechanism for REJ with the Mainland in civil and commercial matters, the Arrangement will reduce the need for re-litigation of the same disputes in both places and offer better protection to the parties’ interests. The Arrangement, apart from furthering legal co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in civil and commercial matters, will enhance Hong Kong’s status as a regional centre for international legal and dispute resolution services.
The Arrangement applies to matters considered to be of a “civil and commercial” nature under both Hong Kong and Mainland law. Non-judicial proceedings and judicial proceedings relating to administrative or regulatory matters are excluded. The Arrangement covers both monetary and non-monetary relief. It also sets out jurisdictional grounds for the purposes of recognition and enforcement as well as grounds for refusal of recognition and enforcement.
The Arrangement will be implemented by local legislation in Hong Kong. It will take effect after both places have completed the necessary procedures to enable implementation and will apply to judgments made on or after the commencement date.
​Building works contractors of the Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex in Kwun Tong, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, Zhen Hua Engineering Company Limited and Ming Suen Construction Company Limited, illegally carried out works on holidays. They were convicted by Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (January 18) and on November 29 last year for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) and were fined a total of $31,000.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) received a complaint from a member of the public last April about noise nuisance generated on Sundays by the Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex construction site, which is located at 4 Fuk Tong Road in Kwun Tong. Upon investigation by EPD staff, it was confirmed that the construction site concerned carried out hammering and handling of scaffolding materials on holidays and the contractors had not obtained any construction noise permit (CNP) prior to the commencement of works. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the main contractor (a joint venture of China Harbour Engineering Company Limited and Zhen Hua Engineering Company Limited) and the sub-contractor, Ming Suen Construction Company Limited. The EPD also contacted the Social Welfare Department to assist in following up on the case and ensure that construction works are carried out in accordance with the statutory requirements.
The EPD spokesman stressed that members of the construction industry should carry out works during daytime and non-general holidays as far as possible, and they should supervise the works to minimise noise disturbance to nearby residents. If the works procedures have to be conducted during the restricted hours (between 7pm and 7am on the following day, or at any time on a general holiday), a permit must be obtained from the EPD. The construction works shall commence only when the CNP has been granted upon completion of assessment to support its compliance with regulatory requirements. Noise mitigation measures should also be implemented for the construction works as stipulated by the CNP. For construction works that violate the NCO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. A maximum fine of $200,000 may be imposed on second or subsequent convictions. read more