Hong Kong Ordinances

DEFAMATION ORDINANCE - SECT 16

Provision as to summary conviction for libel

If a magistrate, on the hearing of such a charge is of opinion that, though
the person charged is shown to have been guilty, the libel was of a trivial
character, and that the offence may be adequately punished by virtue of the
powers of this section, he shall cause the charge to be reduced into writing
and read to the person charged, and then address a question to him to the
following effect- "Do you desire to be tried by a jury or do you consent to
the case being dealt with summarily?" and if such person assents to the case
being dealt with summarily, the magistrate may summarily convict him and
adjudge him to pay a fine of $250. (Amended 50 of 1911; 51 of 1911; 62 of 1911
Schedule; 63 of 1911 Schedule) [cf. 1881 c. 60 s. 5 U.K.]