Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance （Chapter 338）, Hong Kong, China, WIPO Lex

Main text(s)

Chinese 小額錢債審裁處條例（第338章）

English Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance （Chapter 338）

Chapter: 338 SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE

Chapter:	338	SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE	Gazette Number	Version Date

		Long title		30/06/1997

To establish a tribunal to be known as the Small Claims Tribunal having limited civil jurisdiction, and to make provision for the jurisdiction, procedure and practice thereof, and for matters connected therewith. [1 October 1976] L.N. 239 of 1976 (Originally 79 of 1975)

Section:	1	Short title		30/06/1997

PART I

PRELIMINARY This Ordinance may be cited as the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance.

Section:	2	Interpretation	L.N. 247 of 2000	01/09/2000

In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires

"adjudicator" (審裁官) means an adjudicator appointed under section 4; (Amended 14 of 1986 s. 2; 21 of 1999 s. 14)

"Board" (仲裁處) means the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board established by section 3 of the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board Ordinance (Cap 453); (Added 28 of 1999 s. 2)

"claim" (申索) includes a proceeding in the tribunal between a claimant and a defendant; (Amended 28 of 1999 s. 2)

"claimant" (申索人) means a person bringing a claim other than-

(a) a defendant entering a counterclaim; and

(b) a person who is being represented in a representative claim; "defendant" (被告人) means a person against whom a claim is made by a claimant other than-

(a) a claimant against whom relief is sought by way of counterclaim; and

(b) a person who is being represented in a representative claim; "deputy adjudicator" (暫委審裁官) means a deputy adjudicator appointed under section 4A; (Added 14 of 1986 s. 2) "Labour Tribunal" (勞資審裁處) means the Labour Tribunal established by section 3 of the Labour Tribunal

Ordinance (Cap 25); (Added 28 of 1999 s. 2)

"Lands Tribunal" (土地審裁處) means the Lands Tribunal established by section 3 of the Lands Tribunal Ordinance (Cap 17); (Added 28 of 1999 s. 2)

"party" (一方) means a claimant or defendant and any person joined as a third party;

"registrar" (司法常務官) means the Registrar of the District Court; (Amended 28 of 2000 s. 47)

"representative claim" (代表申索) means a claim brought in the name of one claimant on behalf of himself and one

or more other claimants; "tribunal" (審裁處) means the Small Claims Tribunal established by section 3.

Section:	3	Establishment of tribunal	L.N. 172 of 1999	05/07/1999

PART II

CONSTITUTION OF TRIBUNAL

(1) There is hereby established a tribunal to be known as the Small Claims Tribunal and to be known in the Chinese language as "小額錢債審裁處".
(2) The tribunal, which shall consist of such adjudicators and deputy adjudicators as may be appointed under this Ordinance, shall be a court of record with such jurisdiction and powers as are conferred on it by this or any other Ordinance. (Amended 21 of 1999 s. 15)
(3) All proceedings in the tribunal shall be heard and determined by an adjudicator or a deputy adjudicator sitting alone. (Amended 21 of 1999 s. 15)
(4) The tribunal shall have a seal of a design approved by the Chief Justice, and all awards, orders, summonses, and other processes of the tribunal shall be sealed therewith.

(1) The Chief Executive shall appoint such number of adjudicators as he considers necessary. (Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2)

(2) (Repealed 10 of 2005 s. 151)
(3) An adjudicator shall be known in the Chinese language as "審裁官".
(4) Subject to subsection (5), an appointment made under subsection (1) may be given retrospective effect.

(5) No person appointed as an adjudicator shall discharge any judicial function before the date of the instrument by which he is appointed or before the requirements of section 17 of the Oaths and Declarations Ordinance (Cap 11) have been fulfilled.

(1) A person shall be eligible to be appointed as an adjudicator if-

(a) he is qualified to practise as a barrister, solicitor or advocate in a court in Hong Kong or any other common law jurisdiction having unlimited jurisdiction either in civil or criminal matters; and

(b) since becoming so qualified, he has for a period of or periods totalling not less than 5 years-

(i) practised as a barrister, solicitor or advocate in such a court;
(ii) been a legal officer as defined in section 2 of the Legal Officers Ordinance (Cap 87);

(iii) been the Director of Legal Aid or a Deputy Director of Legal Aid, Assistant Director of Legal Aid or Legal Aid Officer, appointed in accordance with section 3 of the Legal Aid Ordinance (Cap 91);

(iv) been the Official Receiver or an Assistant Official Receiver (Legal), Assistant Principal Solicitor, Senior Solicitor or Solicitor, appointed in accordance with section 75 of the Bankruptcy Ordinance (Cap 6); or
(v) been the Director of Intellectual Property or a Deputy Director of Intellectual Property, Assistant Director of Intellectual Property, Senior Solicitor or Solicitor, appointed in accordance with section 3 of the Director of Intellectual Property (Establishment) Ordinance (Cap 412).

(2) For the purposes of calculating the period of 5 years referred to in subsection (1)(b)-

(a) periods of less than 5 years falling within any of the subparagraphs of that subsection may be combined;
(b) periods served in an office specified in Part I of the First Schedule to the repealed Registrar General (Establishment) Ordinance (Cap 100) may be taken into account notwithstanding the repeal of that Ordinance.

Cap 338 - SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE

Section:	4	Appointment of adjudicators	10 of 2005	08/07/2005

Section:	4AA	Professional qualifications of adjudicators	10 of 2005	08/07/2005

(Added 10 of 2005 s. 152)

Section:	4A	Appointment and powers of deputy adjudicators	10 of 2005	08/07/2005

(1) If the Chief Justice considers it desirable so to do, he may appoint a person who is eligible under section 4AA to be appointed as an adjudicator to be a deputy adjudicator for such period as the Chief Justice may think fit. (Amended 10 of 2005 s. 153)
(3): Where the hearing of any proceedings duly commenced before a deputy adjudicator is adjourned or where judgment is reserved therein or is subject to review, the deputy adjudicator shall have power to resume the hearing and determine the proceedings or to deliver as the judgment of the tribunal the judgment which he has reserved or to review the judgment or decision which he has given if such review is otherwise authorized, as the case may be, notwithstanding that before the hearing is resumed or judgment is delivered or the review is disposed of, his appointment has expired or has been terminated.
(4): For the purposes of subsection (3), the power of a deputy adjudicator to determine the proceedings in a resumed hearing includes the power of awarding costs and the making of any order ancillary to or consequential upon the award of costs. (Added 21 of 1999 s. 16)

(Added 14 of 1986 s. 3)

Section:	5	Jurisdiction of the tribunal		30/06/1997

PART III

JURISDICTION

(1) The tribunal shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the claims specified in the Schedule.

(2): Save as provided in this Ordinance, no claim within the jurisdiction of the tribunal shall be actionable in any other court in Hong Kong.
(3): A claim within the jurisdiction of the tribunal may be brought in another court if there is included in such claim a claim for some other relief, redress or remedy, other than a claim for costs.
(4): Subject to the Limitation Ordinance (Cap 347), the jurisdiction of the tribunal shall extend to a claim which arose before the commencement of this Ordinance.

Section:	6	Power to amend Schedule		30/06/1997

The Legislative Council may, by resolution, amend the Schedule.

Section:	7	Transfer of claims	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

The tribunal may at any stage of proceedings in the tribunal, either of its own motion or upon the application of any party, transfer the proceedings to the Board, the Labour Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal, the District Court or the Court of First Instance, whereupon the practice and procedure of the Board, the Labour Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal, the District Court or the Court of First Instance, as the case may be, shall apply.

(Amended 92 of 1975 s. 59; 25 of 1998 s. 2; 28 of 1999 s. 3)

Section:	8	Division of causes of action		30/06/1997

No claim shall be split or divided and pursued in separate proceedings in the tribunal for the sole purpose of bringing the sum claimed in each of such proceedings within the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

Section:	9	Abandonment of part claim to give tribunal jurisdiction		30/06/1997

(1): Where a claimant has a claim which exceeds the monetary amount mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule and which, but for the excess, would be within the jurisdiction of the tribunal, the claimant may abandon the excess, and thereupon the tribunal shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the claim, so, however, that the claimant shall not recover in the claim an amount exceeding that mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule. (Amended 79 of 1981 s. 2; 14 of 1986 s. 4; 49 of 1988 s. 2)
(1): Where any counterclaim or set-off and counterclaim in proceedings in the tribunal is a monetary claim which is not within the jurisdiction of the tribunal, the tribunal shall order that the proceedings on the counterclaim or set-off and counterclaim be transferred to the Board, the Labour Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal, the District Court or the Court of First Instance. (Amended 92 of 1975 s. 59; 25 of 1998 s. 2; 28 of 1999 s. 4)
(2): Where an order is made under subsection (1) and judgment on the claim is given for the claimant, execution thereon shall, unless the tribunal otherwise orders, be stayed until the proceedings transferred to the Board, the Labour Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal, the District Court or the Court of First Instance have been determined. (Amended 92 of 1975 s. 59; 25 of 1998 s. 2; 28 of 1999 s. 4)
(3): Where a defendant has a counterclaim or set-off and counterclaim which exceeds the monetary amount mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule and which, but for the excess, would be within the jurisdiction of the tribunal, the defendant may abandon the excess and thereupon the tribunal shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the counterclaim or set-off and counterclaim, so, however, that the defendant shall not recover in the counterclaim or set-off and counterclaim an amount exceeding that mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule. (Amended 79 of 1981 s. 2; 14 of 1986 s. 5; 49 of 1988 s. 2)
(4): Where a tribunal has jurisdiction to hear and determine a counterclaim or set-off and counterclaim by virtue of this section, the award of the tribunal on the counterclaim or set-off and counterclaim shall be in full discharge of all demands in respect thereof, and judgment shall be deemed to be entered accordingly.

Section:	10	Jurisdiction as to counterclaim	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

Section:	11	Costs in transferred cases	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

Where any proceedings on a claim or counterclaim or set-off and counterclaim are transferred under section 7 or section 10 from the tribunal to the Board, the Labour Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal, the District Court or the Court of First Instance, the costs of the proceedings both before and after the transfer shall, subject to any order of the tribunal, be in the discretion of the Board, the Labour Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal or the court to which the proceedings are transferred; and the Board, the Labour Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal or the court may make orders with respect thereto, and where the proceedings are transferred from the tribunal to the Lands Tribunal, the District Court or the Court of First Instance, the Lands Tribunal or the court may also make orders as to the scales on which the costs of the proceedings are to be taxed, and the costs of the whole proceedings shall be taxed in the Lands Tribunal or the court.

(Amended 92 of 1975 s. 59; 25 of 1998 s. 2; 28 of 1999 s. 5)

Section:	12	Filing claims	25 of 1998 s. 2	01/07/1997

Remarks:
Amendments retroactively made -see 25 of 1998 s. 2

PART IV

COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS

(1) A proceeding in the tribunal shall be commenced by filing a claim with the registrar.

(2): Subject to subsection (3), a claim shall be in writing in the prescribed form, in either the English or Chinese language, and shall be signed by or on behalf of the claimant. (Amended 14 of 1986 s. 6)
(3): The registrar may permit a claim to be made orally and shall cause it to be reduced to writing in the language in which it is made and shall supply a copy thereof to the claimant. (Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2)

(4) In any joint or representative claim

(a): the registrar may permit the claim to be filed notwithstanding that it has not been signed by all the claimants or persons represented on condition that all the claimants or such persons shall do so before the date of hearing; and
(b): the name of a claimant or person represented who has not so signed the claim before the hearing may, if the tribunal so directs, be deleted from the claim and the amount of the claim reduced accordingly.

Section:	13	Contents of claim		30/06/1997

A claim shall contain-

(a): the name and address of each claimant, and, in the case of a representative claim, the name and address of each person represented;
(b): the name and address of each defendant;
(c): the sum of money claimed by each claimant or person represented;
(d): such particulars of the claim as are reasonably sufficient to inform the defendant of the ground for the claim and the manner in which the amount claimed by each claimant or person represented has been calculated.

Section:	14	Service of claim and notice of hearing	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

(1): The registrar shall, when a claim has been filed-

(2): Service of a copy of the written claim and the notice of hearing-

(iia) by sending them by post addressed to him at his last known place of residence or business; or (Added 49 of 1979 s. 2. Amended 28 of 1999 s. 6)

(iii) in such other manner as may be directed by the registrar.

Section:	15	Keeping of summary of evidence, etc.	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

PART V

PROCEDURE

The adjudicator shall keep or cause to be kept a summary, whether by means of shorthand notes or mechanical, electronic or optical means or otherwise, of the evidence, submissions or statements made or given in proceedings in the tribunal and of any point of law and of his decision thereon.

(Amended 28 of 1999 s. 7)

Section:	16	Hearing to be informal		30/06/1997

(1) The hearing of proceedings in the tribunal shall be conducted in an informal manner.

(2): The tribunal may summon any witness and require the production of any document, record, book of account or other thing, which is relevant in any proceedings.
(3): The tribunal shall inquire into any matter which it may consider relevant to a claim, whether or not it has been raised by a party.
(1): If a defendant fails to appear at the hearing, by himself or a person authorized by the tribunal to appear on his behalf, the claimant may apply for judgment.
(2): An application for entry of judgment under subsection (1) may be supported by an affidavit verifying facts relied on.

Section:	17	Judgment in default of appearance		30/06/1997

(3) Upon application made under subsection (1), the tribunal shall, if it is satisfied that the claimant is entitled

Cap 338 - SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE

to judgment, order judgment to be entered.

(4) Judgment shall not be entered against a defendant under this section unless the tribunal is satisfied that a

copy of the written claim and the notice of hearing have been served on the defendant under section 14(2). (Replaced 49 of 1979 s. 3)

Section:	18	Determination of claims	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

(3): An adjudicator shall, when he has made an award or order orally, reduce it to writing as soon as possible, and in any case not later than 14 days after the date of the award or order.
(c): it would be in the interests of justice, the tribunal may order that such claims be heard at the same time.
(2): The power conferred by this section may be exercised notwithstanding that the hearing of 1 or more of the claims has begun.
(1): Subject to subsection (2), if 2 or more persons have claims against the same defendant, such claims may be brought in the name of 1 of such persons as the representative of some or all of them.
(2): The tribunal may, if at any stage of the proceedings it considers that a representative claim may prejudice the defendant, order that the claims of all or any of the persons represented shall be heard separately.

Section:	19	Right of audience	14 of 2003	09/05/2003

Section:	20	Claims may be heard together		30/06/1997

Section:	21	Representative claims		30/06/1997

(3) Each person represented in a representative claim shall be deemed to have authorized the representative on

Cap 338 - SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE

his behalf to

(a): call and give evidence and make submissions to the tribunal on any matter arising during the hearing of the claim;
(b): file affidavits, statements or other documents;
(c): agree to an adjournment or change of venue;
(d): agree to a settlement of the claim on such terms as he thinks fit;
(e): amend or abandon the claim; and
(f): act generally in as full and free a manner as such claimant may act on his own behalf.

(4): The authority deemed to be given to a representative by subsection (3) shall not be withdrawn save by leave of the tribunal.
(5): The tribunal may, at any time before determining any claim, grant leave to any person to join in the claim as a person represented on such terms as it may think fit.
(6): The tribunal may cause public notice to be given, in such manner as it may think fit, of the particulars of a representative claim which has been filed and of the date and place fixed for the hearing of the claim.
(1): If 2 or more persons are defendants in proceedings in the tribunal, as partners or otherwise, the claim may be heard and determined in relation to any of such defendants who have been duly served with a written claim notwithstanding that other defendants have not been so served or are not within the jurisdiction of the tribunal.
(2): If an award is made against a defendant under subsection (1) and is satisfied by him, he shall be entitled to claim in proceedings in the tribunal contribution from any other person jointly liable with him.
(3): An award against a defendant in respect of a liability jointly with another person shall not discharge such other person from his liability.
(4): A person against whom a claim is made in respect of a liability jointly with any other person may set up any defence or counterclaim which he would have been entitled to set up if all the persons jointly liable with him were defendants.
(5): If 2 or more persons are joined as defendants, the claimant may obtain an award against any 1 or more of the defendants and may enforce the award without prejudice to his right to proceed with the claim against any other defendant.
(1): The tribunal may at any time during the hearing of a claim allow a witness or a party to give evidence on oath or unsworn.

Section:	22	Joint defendants		30/06/1997

Section:	23	Evidence		30/06/1997

(2) The rules of evidence shall not apply to proceedings in the tribunal, which may receive any evidence which

it considers relevant. (Replaced 14 of 1986 s. 8)

Section:	24	Costs		30/06/1997

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the tribunal may award to a party costs and expenses, which may include-

(a): any reasonable expenses necessarily incurred and any loss of salary or wages suffered by that party; and
(b): any reasonable sum paid to a witness for expenses necessarily incurred and any loss of salary or wages

suffered by him, in attending the hearing.

(2) In making an award of costs under this section, the tribunal shall include a direction as to the amount to be paid by each party who is liable to pay costs.

(3) An award of costs shall be enforceable in the same manner as any other award of the tribunal.

Section:	25	Frivolous or vexatious claims		30/06/1997

The tribunal may at any time dismiss a claim which it considers to be frivolous or vexatious on such terms as to

payment of costs as it may think fit.

Section:	26	Adjournments		30/06/1997

The tribunal may at any time, either of its own motion or on the application of any party, adjourn the hearing of proceedings on a claim on such terms as it thinks fit.

Section:	26A	Failure to comply with order of the tribunal	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

Where the tribunal directs a party to comply with an order within a specified time and the party fails to do so, the tribunal may dismiss the claim or counterclaim filed by the party, stay the proceedings or enter judgment against the party, as the case may be, on such terms as it thinks just.

(Added 28 of 1999 s. 10)

Section:	27	Review of decision concerning transfer	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

PART VI

REVIEW AND APPEAL (Amended 67 of 1977 s. 2)

(2): The power conferred by subsection (1) may be exercised, on the application of a party, within 7 days of the date on which the tribunal transferred the claim, on notice in the prescribed form to all other parties.
(3): The exercise of the power conferred by subsection (1) shall not operate as a bar to an appeal by a party against the award or order or against the determination of the review.
(4): On the application of a party for a review under this section, the adjudicator, having regard to the possibility of assets which may be available to satisfy an award being disposed of to the prejudice of any party, may make such order regarding payment into the tribunal, giving of security or otherwise as he may think fit.
(5): An adjudicator may transfer the hearing and consideration of a review to another adjudicator who shall have all the powers and functions he would have if he had originally heard the claim and had prepared the record of proceedings.

Section:	27A	Review of awards and orders		30/06/1997

(Added 67 of 1977 s. 3)

Section:	28	Leave to appeal on point of law	25 of 1998 s. 2	01/07/1997

Remarks:
Amendments retroactively made -see 25 of 1998 s. 2

Cap 338 - SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE

(1) Any party who is aggrieved by a decision of the tribunal-

(a) on any ground involving a question of law alone; or

(b) on the ground that the claim was outside the jurisdiction of the tribunal, may apply to the Court of First Instance for leave to appeal and the Court of First Instance may grant such leave if it thinks fit. (Amended 67 of 1977 s. 4; 79 of 1981 s. 10)

(3): A refusal by the Court of First Instance to grant leave to appeal shall be final. (Amended 79 of 1981 s. 10)
(4): Nothing in this section shall affect any right of appeal under section 50 of the High Court Ordinance (Cap

4). (Amended 92 of 1975 ss. 58 & 59; 25 of 1998 s. 2)

Remarks:
Amendments retroactively made -see 25 of 1998 s. 2

(1): On an appeal for which it has granted leave under section 28, the Court of First Instance may- (Amended 79 of 1981 s. 10; 49 of 1988 s. 2)

(2): On an appeal for which it has granted leave under section 28, the Court of First Instance may- (Amended 79 of 1981 s. 10; 49 of 1988 s. 2)

(b): make such order as to costs and expenses as it thinks fit, but may not

(3) Subject to section 29A, the decision of the Court of First Instance shall be final. (Added 79 of 1981 s. 10) (Amended 92 of 1975 s. 59; 25 of 1998 s. 2)

Remarks:
Amendments retroactively made -see 25 of 1998 s. 2

(1) Any party who is aggrieved by a decision of the Court of First Instance on an appeal heard by leave given under section 28 may, within 7 days after the date of the decision, apply to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal and, if the Court of Appeal considers that a question of law of general public importance is involved, it may grant leave. (Amended 49 of 1988 s. 2)

(3): A refusal by the Court of Appeal to grant leave to appeal shall be final. (Added 79 of 1981 s. 10; 25 of 1998 s. 2)

Section:	29B	Power of the Court of Appeal on appeal		30/06/1997

On an appeal for which it has granted leave under section 29A, the Court of Appeal may- (Amended 49 of 1988

s. 2)

(a): allow the appeal;
(b): dismiss the appeal; or
(c): remit the matter to the tribunal with such directions as it thinks fit, which may include a direction to the tribunal for a new hearing,

and may make such order as to costs as it thinks fit. (Added 79 of 1981 s. 10)

Section:	30	Procedure on appeal		30/06/1997

Subject to this Part, an appeal from the tribunal shall be brought in such manner and shall be subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

Section:	31	Stay of execution on appeal	25 of 1998 s. 2	01/07/1997

Remarks:
Amendments retroactively made -see 25 of 1998 s. 2

The filing of an application for leave to appeal under section 28 or section 29A shall not operate as a stay of execution of an award or order unless the tribunal, the Court of First Instance or Court of Appeal, as the case may be, otherwise orders and any stay of execution may be subject to such conditions as to costs, payment into the tribunal, the giving of security or otherwise as the tribunal, the Court of First Instance or Court of Appeal thinks fit.

(Amended 92 of 1975 s. 59; 79 of 1981 s. 10; 25 of 1998 s. 2)

Section:	32	Enforcement of award of tribunal		30/06/1997

PART VII

MISCELLANEOUS

An award of the tribunal may be enforced in the District Court in the same manner as a judgment of that court. (Amended 14 of 1986 s. 9)

Section:	32A	Setting aside award or order given in absence of party		30/06/1997

(1) Any award or order of the tribunal obtained where one party did not appear at the hearing may be set aside by the tribunal, on the application of that party, on such terms as it thinks just.

(2) An application under subsection (1) shall be made within 7 days after the hearing or such further period as

the tribunal may allow. (Amended 49 of 1979 s. 4) (Added 67 of 1977 s. 5)

Section:	33	Interest on awards	10 of 2005	08/07/2005

(3): An award shall carry interest at the rate specified in subsection (4) on the aggregate amount thereof, or on such part thereof as for the time being remains unsatisfied, from the date of the award until satisfaction. (Added 14 of 1986 s. 10)
(4): The rate of interest specified for the purposes of subsections (1) and (3) shall be the rate from time to time applicable to judgment debts under section 50 of the District Court Ordinance (Cap 336). (Added 14 of 1986 s. 10. Amended 10 of 2005 s. 229)
(1): In a joint or representative claim the amount of an award shall be paid into the tribunal and there shall be allocated to the parties to the claim the sum of money claimed by each claimant or person represented.
(b): refuses to be sworn or give evidence, shall forfeit such fine not exceeding level 2 as the adjudicator may direct. (Amended 28 of 1999 s. 13)
(2): A person to whom subsection (1) applies shall not forfeit a fine under that subsection unless there has been paid or tendered to him at the time of service of the summons a reasonable sum in respect of his expenses including any loss of salary or wages.
(3): Any person present before the tribunal who is required to give evidence but refuses to be sworn or to give evidence shall forfeit a fine in accordance with subsection (1).
(4): An adjudicator may, in his discretion, direct that the whole or any part of any such fine shall, after deducting the costs, be applied towards indemnifying the party injured by the refusal or neglect but without prejudice to the right of the party so injured to institute civil proceedings in respect of the injury.

Section:	34	Payment of award		30/06/1997

Section:	35	Penalty for neglect of witness summons	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

[cf. 1959 c. 22 s. 84 U.K.]

Section:	35A	Insulting behaviour	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

(1) If any person, in a hearing of proceedings in the tribunal-

(a) uses a threatening or insulting expression to or concerning or in the presence of the adjudicator; or

(b) behaves in an insulting manner or wilfully interrupts the hearing of proceedings, the adjudicator may summarily sentence the person to a fine at level 3 and to imprisonment for 6 months.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that section 50 of the High Court Ordinance (Cap 4)

applies in the case of any exercise by the adjudicator of his power under subsection (1). (Added 28 of 1999 s. 14)

Section:	35B	Power of adjudicator to enforce payment of fine, etc.	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

For the purposes of enforcing the payment of any fine imposed or giving effect to any sentence of imprisonment, an adjudicator shall have the powers of a judge. (Added 28 of 1999 s. 14)

Section:	36	Chief Justice may make rules	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

The Chief Justice may make rules

(b): regulating the transfer of proceedings to the Board, the Labour Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal, the District Court or the Court of First Instance; (Amended 92 of 1975 s. 59; 25 of 1998 s. 2; 28 of 1999 s. 15)
(c): providing for matters of procedure which are not provided for in this Ordinance;
(d): prescribing anything which is to be or may be prescribed;
(e): prescribing the fees and costs applicable to proceedings in the tribunal;
(f): generally for the better carrying out of the provisions of this Ordinance.

Cap 338 - SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE

Section:	37	Procedure generally		30/06/1997

Where no provision is made by this Ordinance or rules made under section 36, the practice and procedure in the tribunal shall be such as the tribunal may determine, either generally or in any particular proceeding.

Section:	38	Application to Crown		30/06/1997

This Ordinance binds the Crown.

Section:	39	Immunity	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

(1) An adjudicator has, in the exercise of his powers or duties under this Ordinance, the same privileges and immunities as a judge of the Court of First Instance in civil proceedings in that court.

(2) A witness before the tribunal shall be entitled to the same privileges and immunities as if he were a witness

in civil proceedings in the Court of First Instance. (Added 28 of 1999 s. 16)

Schedule:		SCHEDULE	L.N. 18 of 2009	02/04/2009

[section 5]

JURISDICTION OF TRIBUNAL

1. Any monetary claim founded in contract, quasi-contract or tort where the amount claimed is not more than $50000, whether on balance of account or otherwise: (Amended L.N. 81 of 1982; 14 of 1986 s. 11; 49 of 1988 s. 2; 28 of 1999 s. 17)

Provided that the tribunal shall not have jurisdiction to hear and determine-

(b): any action or proceeding in respect of a maintenance agreement within the meaning of section 14 of the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Ordinance (Cap 192);
(d): any action that lies within the jurisdiction of the Labour Tribunal established under the Labour Tribunal Ordinance (Cap 25);
(e): any action which is submitted to the jurisdiction of the Estate Agents Authority established by section 4 of the Estate Agents Ordinance (Cap 511) and in respect of which the Estate Agents Authority has not declined jurisdiction, under or pursuant to section 49 of that Ordinance; (Added 48 of 1997 s. 58. Amended 3 of 2008 s. 6)

(f) any action or proceeding for an order for the costs of and incidental to a dispute in relation to which no
proceedings have been commenced in the tribunal. (Added 3 of 2008 s. 6)

1A. Notwithstanding subparagraph (d) of the proviso to paragraph 1, the tribunal shall have jurisdiction to hear and
determine a claim transferred to the tribunal under section 10(2) of the Labour Tribunal Ordinance (Cap 25). (Added
of 1999 s. 19)

2. Any claim for the recovery of any penalty, expenses, contribution or other amount which is recoverable by virtue of any enactment and for the recovery of any amount which is declared by any enactment to be recoverable as a civil debt if(a) it is not expressly provided by that or any other enactment that the demand shall be recoverable only in some other court; and (b) the amount claimed does not exceed $50000. (Amended L.N. 81 of 1982; 14 of 1986 s. 11; 49 of 1988

2; 28 of 1999 s. 17)
For the purposes of this paragraph, "penalty" (罰金) shall not include a fine imposed on the conviction of any person
for an offence.

章： 338 小額錢債審裁處條例

章：	338	小額錢債審裁處條例	憲報編號	版本日期

		詳題		30/06/1997

本條例旨在設立具有限民事司法管轄權的審裁處，名為小額錢債審裁處，並就其司法管轄權、程序、常規及相關事宜訂定條文。

[1976年10月1日] 1976年第239號法律公告

(本為1975年第79號)

條：	1	簡稱		30/06/1997

第I部導言本條例可引稱為《小額錢債審裁處條例》。

條：	2	釋義	L.N. 247 of 2000	01/09/2000

在本條例中，除文意另有所指外─

“一方”(party) 指申索人或被告人，以及任何被加入為第三方的人；

“土地審裁處”(Lands Tribunal) 指由《土地審裁處條例》(第17章)第3條設立的土地審裁處； (由1999年第28號第2條增補)

“代表申索”(representative claim) 指以一名申索人的名義提出的申索，而申索是代表該申索人本身及其他一名或多於一名的申索人提出者；

“司法常務官”(registrar) 指區域法院的司法常務官； (由1998年第25號第2條修訂；由2000年第28號第47條修訂)

“申索”(claim) 包括申索人與被告人在審裁處進行的法律程序； (由1999年第28號第2條修訂)

“申索人”(claimant) 指提出申索的人，但以下的人除外─

(a) 提出反申索的被告人；及

(b) 在一宗代表申索中被代表的人； “仲裁處”(Board)指由《小額薪酬索償仲裁處條例》(第453章)第3條設立的小額薪酬索償仲裁處；

(由1999年第28號第2條增補) “被告人”(defendant) 指申索人(以下的人除外)向其提出申索的人─

(a) 被人以反申索尋求濟助的申索人；及

(b) 在一宗代表申索中被代表的人； “勞資審裁處”(Labour Tribunal) 指由《勞資審裁處條例》(第25章)第3條設立的勞資審裁處；(由

1999年第28號第2條增補)

“暫委審裁官”(deputy adjudicator) 指根據第4A條委任的暫委審裁官； (由1986年第14號第2條增裞( �/span>

“審裁官”(adjudicator) 指根據第4條委任的審裁官； (由1986年第14號第2條修訂；由1999年第21號第

14條修訂) “審裁處”(tribunal) 指根據第3條設立的小額錢債審裁處。

條：	3	審裁處的設立	L.N. 172 of 1999	05/07/1999

第II部

審裁處的組成

(1) 現設立一個名為小額錢債審裁處的審裁處，其英文名稱為“Small Claims Tribunal”。

審裁處由根據本條例委任的審裁官及暫委審裁官組成，屬紀錄法庭，具有本條例或任何其他條例授予審裁處的司法管轄權及其他權力。 (由1999年第21號第15條修訂)
(3) 凡在審裁處進行的法律程序，均由一名審裁官或暫委審裁官單獨開庭聆訊及裁定。 (由1999年第21號第15條修訂)

審裁處須備有印章，印章式樣須由終審法院首席法官批准，審裁處一切裁斷書、命令、傳票及其他法律程序文件，均須蓋上印章。 (由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

(1) 行政長官須按他認為所需的數目，委出審裁官。 (由1998年第25號第2條修訂)
(2) (由2005年第10號第151條廢除)
(3) 審裁官的中文名稱為“審裁官”。
(4) 在符合第(5)款的規定下，根據第(1)款作出的委任，可有追溯效力。

受委任為審裁官的人，在其委任文書上所註日期前，或在履行《宣誓及聲明條例》(第11章)第17條的規定前，不得履行任何司法職能。

(1) 任何人如符合以下條件，即有資格獲委任為審裁官—

(a)該人有資格在香港或任何其他普通法適用地區的任何法院執業為大律師、律師或訟辯人，而該法院是在民事或刑事事宜上具有無限司法管轄權的；及

(b)自具有上述資格後，該人已在一段不少於5年的期間或在不同期間而合共不少於5年的期間是—

(i) 在任何上述法院執業為大律師、律師或訟辯人；
(ii) 《律政人員條例》(第87章)第2條所界定的律政人員；
(iii) 按照《法律援助條例》(第91章)第3條委任的法律援助署署長、法律援助署副署長、法律援助署助理署長或法律援助主任；
(iv)按照《破產條例》(第6章)第75條委任的破產管理署署長、助理破產管理署署長(法律)、助理首席律師、高級律師或律師；或
(v) 按照《知識產權署署長(設立)條例》(第412章)第3條委任的知識產權署署長、知識產權署副署長、知識產權署助理署長、高級律師或律師。

(2) 為計算第(1)(b)款提述的5年期間—

(a) 在該款任何節範圍以內各段不足5年的期間可合併計算；
(b)儘管《註冊總署署長(人事編制)條例》(第100章)已被廢除，擔任該已被廢除條例附表1

條：	4	審裁官的委任	10 of 2005	08/07/2005

條：	4AA	審裁官的專業資格	10 of 2005	08/07/2005

第I部所指明的職位的期間仍可計算在內。 (由2005年第10號第152條增補)

條：	4A	暫委審裁官的委任及權力	10 of 2005	08/07/2005

終審法院首席法官如認為合宜，可委任任何根據第4AA條有資格獲委任為審裁官的人為暫委審裁官，任期按終審法院首席法官認為適當者而定。 (由2005年第10號第153條修訂)

在有關的委任條款的規限下，暫委審裁官在任期內擁有審裁官職位的所有司法管轄權、權力及特權，並須執行該職位的所有職責；而在任何法例中凡提述審裁官之處，均須據此解釋。 (由1999年第21號第16條修訂)
(2A) 終審法院首席法官可隨時終止任何按照本條作出的委任。 (由1999年第21號第16條增補)

凡任何經在暫委審裁官席前正式展開的法律程序聆訊遭押後，或保留判決或須覆核判決，該暫委審裁官有權視乎情況而恢復聆訊及就該項法律程序作出裁定，或宣告其所保留的判決，作為審裁處的判決，或覆核其所作出的除本條之外另有授權其可予以覆核的判決或決定；即使在聆訊恢復前、判決宣告前或覆核已獲處理前，其任期已經屆滿或結束，亦無例外。

(4)就第(3)款而言，暫委審裁官在恢復進行的聆訊中就有關法律程序作出裁定的權力，包括判

給訟費以及就判給訟費而作出附帶或相應命令的權力。 (由1999年第21號第16條增補) (由1986年第14號第3條增補。由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

條：	5	審裁處的司法管轄權		30/06/1997

第III部

司法管轄權

(1) 審裁處具有聆訊及裁定附表內指明的申索的司法管轄權。

除非本條例另有訂定，否則凡屬審裁處的司法管轄權範圍內的申索，不得在香港的任何其他法庭進行訴訟。
凡屬審裁處的司法管轄權範圍內的申索，如包括申索訟費以外的其他濟助、糾正或補救，可在其他法庭提出。
除《時效條例》(第347章) 另有規定外，審裁處的司法管轄權擴及本條例生效日期前產生的申索。

條：	6	修訂附表的權力	25 of 1998 s. 2	01/07/1997

附註：

具追溯力的修訂─見1998年第25號第2條

立法會可藉決議修訂附表。 (由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

條：	7	申索的移交	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

在法律程序的任何階段中，審裁處可主動或應任何一方的申請而將法律程序移交仲裁處、勞資審裁處、土地審裁處、區域法院或原訟法庭；在此情況下，仲裁處、勞資審裁處、土地審裁處、區域法院或原訟法庭(視屬何情況而定)的常規及程序即適用。

(由1975年第92號第59條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂；由1999年第28號第3條修訂) 任何申索，不得單為使每筆申索款額不超越審裁處的司法管轄權範圍而被分拆或分割為多宗申索，在審裁處分開追討。

條：	8	訴因的分割		30/06/1997

條：	9	為使審裁處有司法管轄權而放棄部分申索		30/06/1997

(1) 凡只因申索人的申索超逾附表第1及2段所述的款額，以致該申索超越審裁處的司法管轄權範圍，申索人可放棄追討超額的款項，而在此情況下，審裁處有聆訊及裁定該宗申索的司法管轄權，但申索人不得在申索中討回超逾附表第1及2段所述款額的款項。 (由1981年第79號第2條修訂；由1986年第14號第4條修訂；由1988年第49號第2條修訂)

(2)凡審裁處憑藉本條有聆訊及裁定申索的司法管轄權，審裁處就該宗申索而裁斷的款項，即

為對在該宗申索中所索求的全部款項的全數清償，而判決亦須當作已據此登錄。 [比照 1959 c. 22 s. 41 U.K.]

條：	10	在反申索方面的司法管轄權	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

凡在審裁處法律程序中提出的反申索或債務抵銷兼反申索是審裁處的司法管轄權範圍以外的金錢申索，審裁處須命令將該等反申索或債務抵銷兼反申索的法律程序移交仲裁處、勞資審裁處、土地審裁處、區域法院或原訟法庭。 (由1975年第92號第59條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂；由1999年第28號第4條修訂)
凡審裁處根據第(1)款作出命令，而申索人就其申索獲判勝訴，則除非審裁處另有命令，否則上述判決的執行須予擱置，直至移交仲裁處、勞資審裁處、土地審裁處、區域法院或原訟法庭的法律程序已有裁定為止。 (由1975年第92號第59條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂；由1999年第28號第4條修訂)
(3) 凡只因被告人的反申索或債務抵銷兼反申索超逾附表第1及2段所述的款額，以致該反申索或債務抵銷兼反申索超越審裁處的司法管轄權範圍，該被告人可放棄追討超額的款項，而在此情況下，審裁處有聆訊及裁定該反申索或債務抵銷兼反申索的司法管轄權，但被告人不得在反申索或債務抵銷兼反申索中討回超逾附表第1及2段所述款額的款項。 (由1981年第79號第2條修訂；由1986年第14號第5條修訂；由1988年第49號第2條修訂)
凡審裁處憑藉本條有聆訊及裁定反申索或債務抵銷兼反申索的司法管轄權，審裁處就該反申索或債務抵銷兼反申索而裁斷的款項，即為對在該反申索或債務抵銷兼反申索中所索求的全部款項的全數清償，而判決亦須當作已據此登錄。

條：	11	移交案件的訟費	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

凡任何申索法律程序、反申索法律程序或債務抵銷兼反申索法律程序根據第7或10條由審裁處移交仲裁處、勞資審裁處、土地審裁處、區域法院或原訟法庭，在法律程序移交前及移交後的訟費，除審裁處另有命令外，均須由受理移交案件的仲裁處、勞資審裁處、土地審裁處、法院或法庭酌情決定；仲裁處、勞資審裁處、土地審裁處、法院或法庭可就訟費作出命令；凡有關法律程序由審裁處移交土地審裁處、區域法院或原訟法庭，則土地審裁處、區域法院或原訟法庭亦可就訟費的評定率作出命令，而整項法律程序的訟費，須在土地審裁處、該法院或法庭評定。

(由1975年第92號第59條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂；由1999年第28號第5條修訂)

條：	12	申索書的提交	L.N. 247 of 2000	01/09/2000

第Ⅳ部

法律程序的展開

(1) 在審裁處展開法律程序，須藉向司法常務官提交申索書而展開。

除第(3)款另有規定外，申索須按訂明的格式以書面提出，用中文或英文均可，並須由申索人簽署或由他人代其簽署。 (由1986年第14號第6條修訂)
司法常務官可准許申索人以口頭提出申索，但須安排以提出該申索所用的語文予以書面記錄，並須將書面紀錄副本一份交給申索人。 (由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

(4) 在任何共同申索或代表申索中─

(a)即使申索書未經所有申索人或被代表的人簽署，司法常務官仍可准予提交，但須以所有申索人或被代表的人於聆訊日期前補辦簽署為條件；及

(b)如審裁處作出指示，不按上文於聆訊日期前簽署申索書的申索人或被代表的人，其在

申索書內的姓名可被刪除，而申索款額亦可相應削減。 (由2000年第28號第47條修訂)

條：	13	申索書內容		30/06/1997

申索書須載有─

(a) 每名申索人的姓名地址，如屬代表申索，須載有每名被代表的人的姓名地址；

(b) 每名被告人的姓名地址；

(d)申索的其他詳情，而該等詳情須合理地足以通知被告人有關申索的理由，以及每名申索人或被代表的人所申索款額的計算方法。

條：	14	申索書及聆訊通知書的送達	L.N. 247 of 2000	01/09/2000

(1) 司法常務官須於申索書提交後─

(a) 定出聆訊申索的地點及日期，但聆訊日期不得遲於申索書提交後60天；及 (由1986年第14號第7條修訂)
(b)安排將申索書的副本，連同具訂明格式的聆訊日期及地點通知書，以第(2)款指明的方式送達每名被告人。

(2) 申索書副本及聆訊通知書的送達─

(a) 須由司法常務官就此目的而委派的人作出；及

(b) 須採用以下方式完成─

(i) 親身交付被告人本人；

(ii) 在被告人最後為人所知的居住地方或營業地點留交該處的人，以轉交被告人；(由1979年第49號第2條代替)
(iia)以郵遞寄往被告人最後為人所知的居住地方或營業地點並註明由被告人收件；或(由1979年第49號第2條增補。由1999年第28號第6條修訂)

(iii) 司法常務官所指示的其他方式。 (由2000年第28號第47條修訂)

條：	15	證據等摘要的備存	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

第V部

程序

審裁官須將或安排將在審裁處的法律程序中各人所作的證據、陳詞或供詞，以及任何法律論點及其本人對該等法律論點的決定，全部以速記方式或機械、電子、光學或其他方式作摘要備存。 (由1999年第28號第7條修訂)

條：	16	聆訊不拘形式		30/06/1997

(1) 審裁處的法律程序聆訊，須不拘形式進行。

審裁處可傳召任何證人，及要求交出在任何法律程序中有關的文件、紀錄、帳簿或其他物件。

(3) 審裁處如認為任何事宜與申索有關，則不論該事宜曾否由任何一方提出，亦須予以查訊。
(1) 如被告人不親自出席聆訊，亦未能由審裁處批准的人代為出席，申索人可申請作出判決。
(2) 根據第(1)款申請登錄判決，可以誓章證明申請所倚賴的事實屬實，以支持該項申請。

審裁處收到根據第(1)款提出的申請後，如信納申索人有獲得判決的權利，須命令將判決予以登錄。

條：	17	缺席判決		30/06/1997

(4)除非審裁處信納申索書副本及聆訊通知書已經根據第14(2)條送達被告人，否則不得根據本

條將判被告人敗訴的判決予以登錄。 (由1979年第49號第3條代替)

條：	18	申索的裁定	L.N. 247 of 2000	01/09/2000

(1) 審裁處須於申索聆訊結束後盡早作出裁定，並就申索作出其認為適當的裁斷或命令。
(2) 審裁處可按其認為適當的情況而以口頭或書面說明作出某項裁斷或命令的理由。

審裁官以口頭作出裁斷或命令後，須盡早將該項裁斷或命令予以書面記錄，且無論如何須不遲於裁斷或命令的日期後14天內辦妥。

每份書面裁斷或命令，均須由司法常務官送達各方，而裁斷或命令的勝訴一方，無須證明須予送達的一方已經收到該份書面裁斷或命令。 (由2000年第28號第47條修訂)

(5) 根據第(4)款送達裁斷或命令，須採用以下方式完成─

(a) 親身交付須予送達的一方本人；

(b) 在該一方最後為人所知的居住地方或營業地點留交該處的人，以轉交該一方； (由1999年第28號第8條修訂)
(ba) 以郵遞寄往該一方最後為人所知的居住地方或其營業地點並註明由該一方收件；或 (由1999年第28號第8條增補)

(1) 以下的人在審裁處有出庭發言權─

(a) 任何一方；
(b) 如一方是法團，則該法團的一名高級人員或僱員；
(c) 如一方是組成任何合夥的各人，則該合夥的一名成員；
(d)在審裁處的許可下，獲一方以書面授權作為其代表出庭的任何人，但大律師或律師除外； (由2003年第14號第12條修訂)
(e)如一方是律政司司長，則代表律政司司長出庭而本身並不屬大律師或律師的一名公職人員。 (由2003年第14號第12條增補)

(2) 除根據第35A條就侮辱行為而進行的法律程序外，任何大律師或律師，包括身為公職人員的大律師或律師，不論其是否有資格在香港的法庭執業，均沒有在審裁處出庭發言的權利，但如其以本身為申索人或被告人的身分行事，則不在此限。 (由1999年第28號第9條修訂)

如有2宗或多於2宗的申索提交審裁處，而審裁處覺得有以下情形，即可命令同時聆訊該等申索─

(a) 該2宗或多宗申索均出現同一的法律問題或事實問題；
(b) 該等申索源自同一訴因；或
(c) 為公正起見應同時聆訊。

(2) 即使上述申索中的1宗或多宗已經展開聆訊，審裁處仍可行使本條所授予的權力。

除第(2)款另有規定外，如2名或多於2名的人有針對同一被告人的申索，可以其中1人的名義代表全部或部分的人提出該等申索。

在法律程序的任何階段中，審裁處如認為提出代表申索可能對被告人有所損害，可命令將全部或某一被代表的人的申索分開聆訊。

(3) 在代表申索中每名被代表的人，均須當作已授權其代表代為辦理以下事宜─

(a) 就聆訊申索時出現的任何事宜，向審裁處作證及陳詞，以及傳喚他人作證；
(b) 提交誓章、供詞或其他文件；
(c) 同意押後聆訊或更改聆訊地點；
(d) 以該代表認為適當的條款，同意達成申索的和解；
(e) 修訂或放棄申索；及
(f) 一般地全權及自由行事，猶如所代表的申索人本人一樣。

(4) 根據第(3)款當作已給予代表的權限，非有審裁處許可，不得撤回。

審裁處在裁定任何申索前，可隨時按其認為適當的條款，准許任何人加入成為申索中被代表的人之一。
審裁處可將已提交的代表申索的詳情，以及所定的聆訊日期地點，安排以其認為適當的方式發表公告。

條：	19	出庭發言權	14 of 2003	09/05/2003

條：	20	申索可予同時聆訊		30/06/1997

條：	21	代表申索		30/06/1997

條：	22	共同被告人		30/06/1997

(1)在審裁處的法律程序中，如有2名或多於2名的人以合夥人或其他身分而同屬被告人，即使

某些被告人未獲送達申索書，或不在審裁處的司法管轄權範圍內，就已獲妥為送達申索書的任何被告人而言，審裁處可聆訊與他有關的申索，並作出裁定。

如有根據第(1)款判決被告人敗訴的裁斷，該被告人在履行該裁斷後，即有權在審裁處提出法律程序，向其他共同有責的人追討後者所應分擔的款項。
任何就被告人與另一人的共同法律責任而對被告人作出的敗訴裁斷，並不免除該另一人的法律責任。
任何人就其與他人的共同法律責任而被人提出申索時，可提出的抗辯或反申索，一如其有權在所有與其共同有責的人均被列為被告人時提出的一樣。

如有2名或多於2名的人為共同被告人，申索人可獲判決其中1名或多於1名的被告人敗訴的裁斷，並可強制執行該裁斷，而該裁斷及其強制執行不損害申索人向任何其他被告人進行申索的權利。

(1) 審裁處在聆訊申索時，可隨時容許證人或一方經宣誓或不經宣誓作證。
(2) 審裁處可收取任何其認為有關的證據，證據規則並不適用於審裁處的法律程序。 (由1986年第14號第8條代替)

在符合第(2)款的規定下，審裁處可裁斷任何一方獲償訟費及開支，而該等訟費及開支可包括─

(a) 該一方為出席聆訊而須招致的合理開支及所損失的薪金或工資；及
(b)已付給證人的合理款項，以補償證人為出席聆訊而須招致的開支及所損失的薪金或工資。

審裁處根據本條就訟費作出裁斷時，亦須就有責任繳付訟費的每一方所須付的款額作出指示。

條：	23	證據		30/06/1997

條：	24	訟費		30/06/1997

(3) 訟費的裁斷可強制執行，方式與強制執行審裁處的其他裁斷的方式相同。

條：	25	瑣屑無聊或無理纏擾的申索		30/06/1997

審裁處可隨時駁回其認為瑣屑無聊或無理纏擾的申索，並施加其認為適當的訟費繳付條款。

條：	26	聆訊的押後		30/06/1997

審裁處可隨時主動或應任何一方的申請，按其認為適當的條款而押後申索法律程序的聆訊。

條：	26A	沒有遵從審裁處的命令	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

凡審裁處指示某一方須於指明時間內遵從某項命令，而該一方沒有遵從上述指示，則審裁處可按其認為公正的條款，撤銷該一方提交的申索或反申索、或擱置有關法律程序或登錄判該一方敗訴的判決(視屬何情況而定)。

(由1999年第28號第10條增補)

條：	27	移交申索的決定的覆核	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

第VI部

覆核及上訴 (由1997年第67號第2條修訂)

凡審裁處已根據第7條將申索移交仲裁處、勞資審裁處、土地審裁處、區域法院或原訟法庭，原訟法庭可於自審裁處將申索移交的日期起計的14天內覆核審裁處的決定，並可在覆核時─(由1975年第92號第59條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂；由1999年第28號第11條修訂)

(a) 維持審裁處的決定或將申索發回審裁處；及
(b) 就訟費及開支作出其認為適當的命令。

第(1)款所授的權力，可應任何一方於審裁處移交申索的日期起7天內提出的申請，並在所有其他各方獲得具訂明格式的通知書後行使。

除任何一方已提交上訴許可申請書並且不同意撤回該申請外，審裁官可於自其作出裁斷或命令的日期起計的14天內覆核該裁斷或命令；覆核時審裁官可將整宗申索或其部分重新處理及重新聆訊，亦可傳喚或聆聽新的證據，並可維持、更改或推翻原來的裁斷或命令。 (由1999年第28號第12條修訂)
(2) 第(1)款所授的權力，可─

(a) 由審裁官藉向所有各方發出具訂明格式的通知書而主動行使；
(b)應任何一方於7天內提出的申請，並藉向所有其他各方發出具訂明格式的通知書而行使。

第(1)款所授權力的行使，並不阻止任何一方對該裁斷或命令或對覆核所得的裁定提出上訴。
任何一方根據本條申請覆核時，審裁官在顧及可供支付經裁斷的款項的資產可能遭人作產權處置而對任何一方有所損害，可就繳存款項於審裁處、提供保證或其他方面作出其認為適當的命令。

條：	27A	裁斷及命令的覆核	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

(5)審裁官可將覆核的聆訊及有關考慮事項移交另一審裁官，而後者就此所享有的權力及職

能，猶如一名原來聆訊該申索並擬備有關法律程序紀錄的審裁官所享有者一樣。 (由1977年第67號第3條增補)

條：	28	根據法律論點作上訴的許可	25 of 1998 s. 2	01/07/1997

附註：

具追溯力的修訂─見1998年第25號第2條

(1) 如任何一方對審裁處的決定感到受屈，而理由─

(a) 只涉及法律問題；或

(b) 是因為該申索超越審裁處的司法管轄權範圍，則可向原訟法庭申請上訴許可，而原訟法庭如認為適當，可予批准。 (由1977年第67號第4條修訂；由1981年第79號第10條修訂)

(2) 根據本條申請上訴許可，須─

(a) 以訂明的表格提出，列明上訴理由及支持該等理由的依據；及

(b) 在以下期限內向高等法院司法常務官遞交─

(i) 書面的裁斷或命令送達該感到受屈的一方的日期後7天內；或
(ii) 如該感到受屈的一方在上述期限內向審裁處要求解釋作出裁斷或命令的理由，則該等理由送達該一方的日期後7天內；或 (由1977年第67號第4條修訂)
(iii) 高等法院司法常務官根據好的因由而延長的期限內。 (由1982年第72號第2條增補)

(3) 原訟法庭拒絕批予上訴許可的決定，是最終的決定。 (由1981年第79號第10條修訂)
(4) 本條任何規定，並不影響《高等法院條例》(第4章)第50條所訂的上訴權利。 (由1975年第92號第58及59條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

附註：

具追溯力的修訂─見1998年第25號第2條

(1) 原訟法庭對於其根據第28條批予許可的上訴，可─ (由1981年第79號第10條修訂；由1988年第49號第2條修訂)

(a) 判上訴得直；
(b) 駁回上訴；或
(c)將個案連同其認為適當的指示發回審裁處，其中可包括須由審裁處予以重新聆訊的指示。

(2) 原訟法庭對於其根據第28條批予許可的上訴，可─ (由1981年第79號第10條修訂；由1988年第49號第2條修訂)

(a) 作出事實推論；及

(b) 就訟費及開支方面而作出其認為適當的命令，但不可─

(i) 推翻或更改審裁處就事實問題作出的裁定；或
(ii) 收取其他證據。

(3) 除第29A條另有規定外，原訟法庭的決定，是最終的決定。 (由1981年第79號第10條增補) (由1975年第92號第59條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

附註：

具追溯力的修訂─見1998年第25號第2條

(1)原訟法庭聆訊經根據第28條給予許可的上訴及作出決定後，對該決定感到受屈的任何一方，可於決定作出的日期後7天內向上訴法庭申請上訴許可；上訴法庭如認為所擬提出的上訴涉及對公眾有普遍重要性的法律問題，可批予許可。 (由1988年第49號第2條修訂)

(2) 根據本條申請上訴許可，須─

(a) 以訂明的表格提出，列明有關的法律問題；及
(b) 向高等法院司法常務官遞交。

(3) 上訴法庭拒絕批予上訴許可的決定，是最終的決定。 (由1981年第79號第10條增補。由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

條：	29B	上訴法庭處理上訴的權力	25 of 1998 s. 2	01/07/1997

附註：

具追溯力的修訂─見1998年第25號第2條

上訴法庭對於其根據第29A條批予許可的上訴，可─ (由1988年第49號第2條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

(a) 判上訴得直；

(b) 駁回上訴；或

(c)將個案連同其認為適當的指示發回審裁處，其中可包括須由審裁處予以重新聆訊的指示，

並可就訟費方面作出其認為適當的命令。 (由1981年第79號第10條增補)

條：	30	上訴程序		30/06/1997

除本部另有規定外，就審裁處的決定而提出的上訴，須以訂明的方式提出，並受訂明的條件規

限。

條：	31	上訴時的擱置執行	25 of 1998 s. 2	01/07/1997

附註：

具追溯力的修訂─見1998年第25號第2條

除非審裁處、原訟法庭或上訴法庭(視屬何情況而定)另有命令，否則根據第28或29A條提交上訴許可申請書，並不具有擱置執行任何裁斷或命令的效用；而任何擱置執行可受審裁處、原訟法庭或上訴法庭在訟費、繳存款項於審裁處、提供保證或其他方面認為適當的條件規限。

(由1975年第92號第59條修訂；由1981年第79號第10條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

條：	32	審裁處裁斷的強制執行	25 of 1998 s. 2	01/07/1997

附註：

具追溯力的修訂─見1998年第25號第2條

第VII部雜項審裁處的裁斷，可由區域法院強制執行，方式與強制執行區域法院判決的方式相同。 (由1986年第14號第9條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

條：	32A	一方缺席時所作的裁斷或命令的作廢		30/06/1997

(1)凡由審裁處在任何一方不出席聆訊的情況下作出的裁斷或命令，可由審裁處應該一方的申請，按其認為公正的條款而將之作廢。

第 338章 -小額錢債審裁處條例

(2) 第(1)款所指的申請，須於聆訊後7天內或於審裁處容許的延長期限內提出。 (由1979年第49

號第4條修訂) (由1977年第67號第5條增補)

條：	33	經裁斷的款項的利息	10 of 2005	08/07/2005

審裁處可就申索的全部或部分款項，按第(4)款指明的利率，以自訴因發生時起至作出裁斷的日期止的整段或部分期間計算利息，並將其包括在經裁斷的款額內。 (由1986年第14號第10條修訂)
(2) 第(1)款所授的權力─

(a) 無論是否有表明申索利息，皆可行使；
(b)如審裁處覺得沒有申索利息或沒有裁斷利息，是因疏漏所致，可在裁斷作出的日期後隨時行使；及
(c) 凡判定被告人敗訴的裁斷是在被告人缺席時的，亦可以行使。

經裁斷的款項的總數或該筆總數當其時未清付的部分，須按第(4)款指明的利率計算利息，由裁斷作出的日期起計至款項付清時止。 (由1986年第14號第10條修訂)
為施行第(1)及(3)款而指明的利率，須是不時根據《區域法院條例》(第336章)第50條適用於判定債項的利率。 (由1986年第14號第10條增補。由1998年第25號第2條修訂；由2005年第10號第229條修訂)
在共同申索或代表申索中，經裁斷的款項須繳存審裁處，並須按每名申索人或被代表的人的申索款額而分配給申索的各方。

被告人如將款項繳存審裁處，以全部或部分履行在共同或代表申索中判決其敗訴的裁斷，則就其所繳存的款項而言，該被告人須當作已經履行其在該裁斷下所須負的法律責任；對於審裁處如何將該筆款項分配，被告人無須向任何申索人負法律責任。
(1) 任何根據第16條獲送達傳票的人─
(a)無充分因由而拒絕出席聆訊、沒有出席聆訊、拒絕交出或沒有交出傳票規定交出的文件；或

(b) 拒絕宣誓或作證，審裁官可處以不高於第2級的罰款。 (由1999年第28號第13條修訂)

第(1)款適用的人，除非在傳票送達時就其開支(包括薪金或工資損失)而獲付給或獲提供一筆合理款項，否則不得根據第(1)款處以罰款。
(3) 任何到審裁處席前並須作證的人，如拒絕宣誓或作證，須按照第(1)款處以罰款。

審裁官可酌情指示從任何上述罰款中扣除訟費後，將餘額全數或部分用作彌償因上述拒絕或不依傳票規定事宜而受損的一方，但此舉並不損害該如此受損的一方就損害而提起民事法律程序的權利。

條：	34	經裁斷的款項的繳付		30/06/1997

條：	35	不依證人傳票規定的罰則	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

[比照 1959 c. 22 s. 84 U.K.]

條：	35A	侮辱行為	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

(1) 如任何人在審裁處的法律程序聆訊中—

(a)向審裁官或在其在場的情況下出言恐嚇或侮辱，或使用涉及審裁官而帶恐嚇或侮辱的言辭；或

(b) 作出侮辱的行為或故意中斷法律程序聆訊的進行，審裁官可循簡易程序對該人處以第3級罰款及監禁6個月。

(2)為免生疑問，現宣布審裁官如根據第(1)款行使其權力，則《高等法院條例》(第4章)第50條

適用。 (由1999年第28號第14條增補)

條：	35B	審裁官強制執行罰款的繳付等的權力	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

為強制執行任何已施加的罰款的繳付或為使任何監禁的刑罰得以執行，審裁官具有法官的權

力。

(由1999年第28號第14條增補)

條：	36	終審法院首席法官可訂立規則	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

終審法院首席法官可訂立規則─ (由1998年第25號第2條修訂)

(a) 規管以下事項的程序─

(i) 根據第28及29A條申請上訴許可及聆訊該等申請；

(ii) 根據第29及29B條聆訊上訴； (由1981年第79號第10條修訂)

(b) 規管法律程序移交仲裁處、勞資審裁處、土地審裁處、區域法院或原訟法庭的事宜； (由1975年第92號第59條修訂；由1998年第25號第2條修訂；由1999年第28號第15條修訂)

(d) 訂明任何須予訂明或可予訂明的事情；

(e) 訂明適用於審裁處法律程序的費用及訟費；

(f) 概括而言，訂定更有效施行本條例條文的方法。

條：	37	程序事宜的一般規定		30/06/1997

凡本條例或根據第36條訂立的規則並無訂定條文，審裁處採用的常規及程序，須由審裁處概括地或就某項法律程序而決定。

條：	38	對官方適用		30/06/1997

本條例對官方具約束力。

條：	39	豁免權	L.N. 257 of 1999	19/10/1999

(1)審裁官在執行他在本條例下的權力或職責時，享有原訟法庭法官在原訟法庭民事法律程序中享有的特權及豁免權。

(2) 向審裁處作證的證人，享有原訟法庭民事法律程序中的證人所享有的特權及豁免權。 (由1999年第28號第16條增補) [第5條]

審裁處的司法管轄權

1.任何就合約、準合約或侵權行為而提出的金錢申索，而申索款額不超過$50000者，不論該款額是否為帳項的結餘，均無例外︰(由1982年第81號法律公告修訂；由1986年第14號第11條修訂；由1988年第49號第2條修訂；由1999年第28號第17條修訂)

但審裁處並無聆訊及裁定以下訴訟或法律程序的司法管轄權─ (由2008年第3號第6條修訂)

(a) 關於以下事宜的訴訟─

(i) 誹謗；

(ii)-(iii) (由1986年第40號第6條廢除)

(b)就《婚姻法律程序與財產條例》(第192章)第14條所指的贍養協議而提出的訴訟或法律程序；

(c)根據《放債人條例》(第163章)領有牌照的放債人為追討貸出款項或是強制執行有關貸出款項作出或取得的協議或保證而提出的訴訟；

(ca)由《小額薪酬索償仲裁處條例》(第453章)第3條設立的小額薪酬索償仲裁處的司法管轄權範圍內的訴訟； (由1994年第61號第56條增補)

(d) 根據《勞資審裁處條例》(第25章)設立的勞資審裁處的司法管轄權範圍內的訴訟；

(e)任何交由根據《地產代理條例》(第511章)第4條設立的地產代理監管局行使司法管轄權的訴訟，而地產代理監管局並沒有根據或依據該條例第49條拒絕就該訴訟行使司法管轄權； (由1997年第48號第58條增補。由2008年第3號第6條修訂)

(f) (在沒有法律程序就某項爭議而在審裁處展開的情況下)要求作出關於該項爭議的訟費及附帶訟費的命令的任何訴訟或法律程序。 (由2008年第3號第6條增補)

1A.儘管有第1段但書(d)節的規定，審裁處仍有聆訊及裁定根據《勞資審裁處條例》(第25章)第10(2)條移交審裁處的申索的司法管轄權。 (由1999年第25號第19條增補)

2.為追討憑藉成文法則而可予追討的罰金、開支、分擔款項或其他款項而提出的申索，以及為追討成文法則宣布可作為民事債項追討的款項而提出的申索，但須符合以下條件─

(a) 該成文法則或其他成文法則並無訂明所索求的款項只可在其他法庭追討；及

(b)所申索的款項不超過$50000。 (由1982年第81號法律公告修訂；由1986年第14號第11條

修訂；由1988年第49號第2條修訂；由1999年第28號第17條修訂) 為施行本段，“罰金”(penalty) 並不包括任何人因被定罪而被處的罰款。

Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance （Chapter 338）, Hong Kong, China

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