Hong Kong Regulations

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (APPLICATIONS UNDER SECTION 16) RULES - RULE 2A

Use of language in application

(Past version on 30/06/1997).

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

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

(3) An applicant in an application or a part of an application before the
court may-

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

   (b)  address the court in any language.

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

(5) Documents filed in an application or served on an applicant or the
Secretary for Justice may be in either official language. (L.N. 362 of 1997)

(6) A party, other than the Secretary for Justice, served with a document
relating to an application 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 application 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 application shall be kept in the official
language or official languages as the court hearing the reference may direct.

(10) The transcript of proceedings in an application for appeal purposes shall
be prepared in the official language that the appeal court directs. (L.N. 57
of 1996)