Admin & Civic Affairs

Top court reopens

(September 18, 2015)

The new Court of Final Appeal opened today, with Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma saying the court and the Judiciary are glad to be back at No.8 Jackson Road, Central.

The Old Supreme Court building housed the Legislative Council from 1985 to 2011.

"This monumental building which belongs to the community, is the symbol of the rule of law in Hong Kong and we all know the importance which is attached to that," he said.

From November, the Judiciary will run a pilot scheme offering guided tours of the building for students on non-court days. Visitors can see the Exhibition Gallery, the “Bridge of Sighs”, and the Library. The scheme may be extended after a review of the arrangements.

The building has two courtrooms, including the one restored from the Legislative Council chamber for hearing substantive appeals. The other courtroom is used for hearing leave applications and taxation cases.

Other facilities include a library with a book collection of about 8,500 volumes converted from the old cell area of the Supreme Court, which was the building's original tenant until 1985.

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Voiceover:
The Court of Final Appeal moved to historic No. 8 Jackson Road in Central in September, so the Judiciary arranged a press visit to the newly renovated building.

The first floor has two courtrooms, including this main one for hearing substantive appeals. It was restored from the Legislative Council chamber. Below the vault ceiling hangs a ring pendant light. The five amber spotlights on it symbolise the five judges at a hearing.

Courtroom 2 is used for hearing leave applications and taxation cases and has a contemporary design.

A ground-floor library has a book collection of about 8,500 volumes. It was converted from the old cell area of the Supreme Court which was the original tenant of this building.

In the past, prisoners were sent to the court from their cells through the so-called “Bridge of Sighs”.

Starting in November, the Judiciary will run a pilot scheme offering guided tours of the building on non-court days. Visitors will see the Exhibition Gallery, Bridge of Sighs and the Library. Initially, priority will be given to students, though the scheme may be extended after a review of the arrangements.

Court of Final Appeal Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma said, the Judiciary and Court of Final Appeal were elated to be able to move back into these premises.

Court of Final Appeal Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma:
Moving back to this court building, which is like moving home, is of great significance as far as the Judiciary is concerned, and of great significance in particular to the Court of Final Appeal. It is also of significance to the Hong Kong community and the reason for that is simply that this building, this monumental building which belongs to the community, is the symbol of the rule of law in Hong Kong and we all know the importance which is attached to that.

Voiceover:
The building has a long history and its exterior is a declared monument. Opened in 1912, it was used as the Supreme Court. From 1985 to 2011, it was used as the Legislative Council. In 2013, renovation works began to reconvert the building for the Court of Final Appeal which moved in this month.