Hong Kong Regulations

CRIMINAL APPEAL RULES - RULE 2A

Use of language in appeal

(Past version on 30/06/1997).

(1) The court may use either or both of the official languages in any appeal
or a part of an appeal before it as it considers appropriate for the just and
expeditious disposal of the appeal.

(2) The decision of the court under paragraph (1) is final.

(3) A party to or a witness in any appeal or a part of an appeal before the
court may-

   (a)  use either or both of the official languages; and

   (b)  address the court or testify in any language.

(4) A legal representative in an appeal or a part of an appeal before the
court may use either or both of the official languages.

(5) Documents filed in an appeal or served on a party to an appeal may be in
either official language.

(6) A party, other than the Secretary for Justice, served with a document
relating to an appeal in an official language with which he is not familiar
may within 3 days of being served request in writing the Secretary for Justice
to provide a translation of the document into the other official language.
(L.N. 362 of 1997)

(7) The Secretary for Justice shall provide a translation as soon as
practicable. (L.N. 362 of 1997)

(8) The time for compliance with any rule or order requiring the taking of the
next step in an appeal within a particular period shall start to run, if a
request in writing is served under paragraph (6), only after the receipt of a
translation or as ordered by the court under this rule.

(9) The official record of an appeal shall be kept in the official language or
official languages as the court hearing the appeal may direct.

(10) The transcript of the appeal shall be prepared in the official language
that the appeal court directs. (L.N. 53 of 1996)