The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, speaks to reporters.
The new Macao-Hong Kong agreement for mutual service of judicial documents would facilitate legal proceedings of civil and commercial cases in the two special administrative regions (SARs).
The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, made the comment on Tuesday (5 December) after a signing ceremony for the agreement took place at the Government Headquarters.
The Arrangement for Mutual Service of Judicial Documents in Civil and Commercial Cases between Macao SAR and Hong Kong SAR is the third agreement on mutual legal assistance between the two SARs.
Under the latest arrangement, each side can make a request to the other regarding service of judicial documents, such as a court’s rulings, orders from judges, citations and notification letters.
Ms Chan said the date for the agreement to become effective would depend on internal procedures of the two governments, adding that it would come into force 30 days after the date the sides had completed mutual notification regarding completion of such procedures.
Regarding Macao-Hong Kong cooperation on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, Ms Chan said the two governments were still discussing the matter according to the principles set out in the respective legal assistance schemes in criminal matters that exist between the mainland and Hong Kong, and the mainland and Macao.
When asked to comment on the suspension of Mr Sou Ka Hou’s Legislative Assembly membership, Ms Chan stated the judicial authorities and the police had proceeded with the case in line with the law, adding that the scheduling of court hearings was the responsibility of the judiciary. Regarding some reported comments suggesting amendment of procedures in the Legislative Assembly, Ms Chan said such a matter was the Assembly’s internal affair.