Hong Kong Ordinances

MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE - SECT 54

Commitment of defendant where no remedy or punishment in default of sufficient distress

Whenever it is returned to a warrant of distress issued for the recovery of a
fine or sum of money ordered to be paid under a conviction or order that no
sufficient goods of the party against whom such warrant has been issued can be
found, and by the enactment under the provisions of which such conviction or
order was made no further remedy or punishment is provided for the non-payment
of such fine or sum of money, it shall nevertheless be lawful for a
magistrate, if he thinks fit, by his warrant as aforesaid, to commit the
defendant to prison for such period as may be in accordance with the scale
provided by section 68, unless the fine or sum adjudged to be paid, and all
costs and charges of the distress (the amount thereof being ascertained and
stated in the commitment), shall be sooner paid. (See Form 63) (Amended 30 of
1958 Schedule) [cf. 1848 c. 43 s. 22 U.K.]