Crown Proceedings Ordinance (Chapter 300), Hong Kong, China, WIPO Lex

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Chinese 官方法律程序條例(第300章)

English Crown Proceedings Ordinance (Chapter 300)

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Chapter: 300 CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE
PART I PRELIMINARY
Section: 1 Short title
Section: 2 Interpretation
PART II SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Section: 3 Right to sue the Crown
Section: 4 Liability of the Crown in tort
Section: 5 Provisions as to industrial property
Section: 6 Application of law as to indemnity, contribution, joint and several tortfeasors, and contributory negligence
Section: 7 Liability in connection with postal packets
Section: 8 Provisions relating to the armed forces
Section: 9 Saving in respect of acts done under prerogative and statutory powers
PART III JURISDICTION AND PROCEDURE
Section: 10 Civil proceedings in the Supreme Court
Section: 11 Civil proceedings in the District Court
Section: 12 Interpleader
Section: 13 Parties to proceedings
Section: 14 Service of documents
Section: 15 Removal and transfer of proceedings
Section: 16 Nature of relief
Section: 17 Costs in civil proceedings to which the Crown is a party
Section: 18 Appeals and stay of execution
Section: 19 Scope of Part III
PART IV JUDGMENTS AND EXECUTION
Section: 20 Interest on debts, damages and costs
Section: 21 Satisfaction of orders against the Crown
Section: 22 Execution by the Crown
Section: 23 Attachment of moneys payable by the Crown
PART V MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTAL
Section: 24 Discovery
Section: 25 Exclusion of proceedings in rem against the Crown
Section: 26 Limitation of actions
Section: 27 Application to the Crown of certain statutory provisions
Section: 28 No abatement on demise of Crown
Section: 29 Abolition of certain writs
Section: 30 Rules of court
Section: 31 Pending proceedings
Section: 32 Financial provisions
Section: 33 Statutes no longer effective
Section: 34 Saving
Schedule: 1 PROCEEDINGS ABOLISHED BY THIS ORDINANCE
Schedule: 2 STATUTES NO LONGER HAVING EFFECT IN THE COLONY

Chapter:	300	CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE	Gazette Number	Version Date

		Long title		30/06/1997

To amend the law relating to the civil liabilities and rights of the Crown and to civil proceedings by and against the Crown, to amend the law relating to the civil liabilities of persons other than the Crown in certain cases involving the affairs or property of the Crown, and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid.

[1 November 1957] (G.N.A. 81 of 1957)

(Originally 18 of 1957)

Section:	1	Short title		30/06/1997

PART I

PRELIMINARY This Ordinance may be cited as the Crown Proceedings Ordinance.

Section:	2	Interpretation	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

(1) Any reference in this Ordinance to the provisions of this Ordinance shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include a reference to rules of court made for the purposes of this Ordinance.

(2) In this Ordinance, except in so far as the context otherwise requires, or it is otherwise expressly provided, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say"agent" (代理人), when used in relation to the Crown, includes an independent contractor employed by the Crown;

"civil proceedings" (民事法律程序) includes proceedings in the Supreme Court or the District Court for the recovery of fines or penalties, but does not include proceedings of a nature such as in England are taken on the

Crown side of the Queen's Bench Division of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice;

"officer" (人員), in relation to the Crown, includes any servant of the Crown;

"order" (命令) includes a judgment, decree, rule, award or declaration;

"prescribed" (訂明) means prescribed by rules of court;

"proceedings against the Crown" (針對官成提出的法律程序) includes a claim by way of set-off or counterclaim raised in proceedings by the Crown;

"ship" (船舶) includes every description of vessel used in navigation not propelled by oars;

"rules of court" (法院規則) means rules made by the authority having for the time being power to make rules and

orders regulating the practice and procedure of the Supreme Court or the District Court, as the case may be; "statutory duty" (法定責任) means any duty imposed by or under any Act of Parliament or Ordinance.

(3) Any reference in this Ordinance to Her Majesty in Her private capacity shall be construed as including a reference to Her Majesty in right of Her Duchy of Lancaster.

(4) Any reference in Part IV or V of this Ordinance to civil proceedings by or against the Crown, or to civil proceedings to which the Crown is a party, shall be construed as including a reference to civil proceedings to which the Secretary for Justice, or any Government department, or any officer of the Crown as such, is a party:

Provided that the Crown shall not for the purposes of Parts IV and V of this Ordinance be deemed to be a party to any proceedings by reason only that they are brought by the Secretary for Justice upon the relation of some other person. (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)

(5) References in this Ordinance to any enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as

amended by or under any enactment, including this Ordinance. [cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 38 U.K.]

Section:	3	Right to sue the Crown		30/06/1997

PART II

SUBSTANTIVE LAW

Where any person has a claim against the Crown after the commencement of this Ordinance and, if this Ordinance had not been passed, the claim might have been enforced, subject to the consent of the Governor, under the rules of the Supreme Court, or might have been enforced by the proceedings provided by any statute ceasing to have effect in the Colony by virtue of this Ordinance, or by any enactment repealed by this Ordinance, then, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, the claim may be enforced as of right, and without the consent of the Governor, by proceedings taken against the Crown for that purpose in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.

[cf. 1947 c.44 s.1 U.K.]

Section:	4	Liability of the Crown in tort		30/06/1997

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, the Crown shall be subject to all those liabilities in tort to which, if it were a private person of full age and capacity, it would be subject-

(a): in respect of torts committed by its servants or agents;
(b): in respect of any breach of those duties which a person owes to his servants or agents at common law by reason of being their employer; and
(c): in respect of any breach of the duties attaching at common law to the ownership, occupation, possession or control of property:

Provided that no proceedings shall lie against the Crown by virtue of paragraph (a) in respect of any act or omission of a servant or agent of the Crown unless the act or omission would apart from the provisions of this Ordinance have given rise to a cause of action in tort against that servant or agent or his estate.

(2): Where the Crown is bound by a statutory duty which is binding also upon persons other than the Crown and its officers, then, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, the Crown shall, in respect of a failure to comply with that duty, be subject to all those liabilities in tort (if any) to which it would be subject if it were a private person of full age and capacity.
(3): Where any functions are conferred or imposed upon an officer of the Crown as such either by any rule of the common law or by enactment or statute, and that officer commits a tort while performing or purporting to perform those functions, the liabilities of the Crown in respect of the tort shall be such as they would have been if those functions had been conferred or imposed solely by virtue of instructions lawfully given by the Crown.
(4): Any enactment which negatives or limits the amount of the liability of any Government department or officer of the Crown in respect of any tort committed by that department or officer shall, in the case of proceedings against the Crown under this section in respect of a tort committed by that department or officer, apply in relation to the Crown as it would have applied in relation to that department or officer if the proceedings against the Crown had been proceedings against that department or officer.
(5): No proceedings shall lie against the Crown by virtue of this section in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by any person while discharging or purporting to discharge any responsibilities of a judicial nature vested in him, or any responsibilities which he has in connection with the execution of judicial process.

(6) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no liability shall be imposed thereby upon the Crown in respect of any ship, dock or harbour owned by the Crown.

(b) This subsection shall continue in force until a day to be appointed by the Governor by Proclamation in

the Gazette and shall then expire. [cf. 1947 c.44 s.2 U.K.]

Section:	5	Provisions as to industrial property		30/06/1997

(1) Where after the commencement of this Ordinance any servant or agent of the Crown infringes a patent, or infringes a registered trade mark, or infringes any copyright, or infringes any registered design, and the infringement is committed with the authority of the Crown, then, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, civil proceedings in respect of this infringement shall lie against the Crown.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) or in any other provision of this Ordinance shall affect the rights of the Crown

Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE

under sections 36 to 40 of the Registered Designs Ordinance (Cap 522). (Amended 25 of 1979 s. 12; 52 of 1997 s. 162)

(1): Subject as hereinafter provided, no proceedings in tort shall lie against the Crown for anything done or omitted to be done in relation to a postal packet by any person while employed as a servant or agent of the Crown; nor shall any officer of the Crown be subject, except at the suit of the Crown, to any civil liability for any of the matters aforesaid.
(2): Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7 of the Post Office Ordinance (Cap 98), proceedings shall lie against the Crown under this subsection in respect of loss of or damage to a registered inland postal packet in so far as the loss or damage is due to any wrongful act done or any neglect or default committed by a person employed as a servant or agent of the Crown while performing or purporting to perform his functions as such in relation to the receipt, carriage, delivery or other dealing with the packet:

Provided that-

(a): no proceedings shall lie under this subsection in respect of any postal packet registered before the commencement of this Ordinance;
(b): the amount recoverable in any proceedings under this subsection shall not exceed the market value of the packet in question (excluding the market value of any message or information which it bears) at the time when the cause of action arises;
(c): the amount recoverable in any such proceedings shall not in any event exceed the maximum amount which, under the Post Office Regulations (Cap 98 sub. leg.), is available for compensating the persons aggrieved having regard to the fee paid in respect of the registration of the packet; and
(d): the Crown shall not be liable under this subsection in respect of any packet unless such conditions as are prescribed by the Post Office Regulations (Cap 98 sub. leg.) in relation to registered inland postal packets have been complied with in relation to that packet.

For the purposes of any proceedings under this subsection it shall be presumed, until the contrary is shown on behalf of the Crown, that the loss of or damage to the packet was due to some wrongful act done, or some neglect or default committed, by a person employed as a servant or agent of the Crown while performing or purporting to perform his functions as such in relation to the receipt, carriage, delivery or other dealing with the packet.

(3) No relief shall be available under subsection (2) except upon a claim by the sender or the addressee of the packet in question; and the sender or addressee of the packet shall be entitled to claim any relief available under the said subsection in respect of the packet, whether or not he is the person damnified by the injury complained of, and to give a good discharge in respect of all claims in respect of the packet under the said subsection:

Provided that where the court is satisfied, upon an application by any person who is not the sender or addressee of the packet, that the sender and the addressee are unable or unwilling to enforce their remedies in respect of the packet under the said subsection, the court may, upon such terms as to security for costs and otherwise as the court thinks just, allow that other person to bring proceedings under the said subsection in the name of the sender or the addressee of the packet.

Any reference in this subsection to the sender or addressee of the packet includes a reference to his personal representative.

(4) Where by virtue of subsection (3) any person recovers any money or property which, apart from that subsection, would have been recoverable by some other person, the money or property so recovered shall be held on trust for that person.

(5) Post Office Regulations (Cap 98 sub. leg.) may be made for prescribing the conditions to be observed for the purposes of this section in relation to registered inland postal packets.

(6) In this section-"postal packet" (郵包) has, subject as hereinafter provided, the same meaning as in the Post Office Ordinance (Cap

98); "Post Office Regulations" (《郵政署規例》) has the same meaning as in the Post Office Ordinance (Cap 98); "inland postal packet" (本地郵包) means a postal packet which is posted in Hong Kong for delivery in Hong Kong to

the person to whom it is addressed; "sender" (寄件人), in relation to a postal packet, has such meaning as may be assigned to it by Post Office Regulations (Cap 98 sub. leg.).

(7) Any reference in this section to a postal packet shall be construed as including a reference to the contents of

such a packet. [cf. 1947 c.44 s. 9 U.K.]

(1) Nothing done or omitted to be done by a member of the armed forces of the Crown while on duty as such shall subject either him or the Crown to liability in tort for causing the death of another person, or for causing personal injury to another person, in so far as the death or personal injury is due to anything suffered by that other person while he is a member of the armed forces of the Crown if-

(a) at the time when that thing is suffered by that other person, he is either on duty as a member of the armed forces of the Crown or is, though not on duty as such, on any land, premises, ship, aircraft or vehicle for the time being used for the purposes of the armed forces of the Crown; and

(b) (i) where that other person is a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, the Minister of Pensions certifies that his suffering that thing has been or will be treated as attributable to service for the purposes of entitlement to an award under the Royal Warrant, Order in Council or Order of Her Majesty relating to the disablement or death of members of the force of which he is a member;

(ii) where that other person is a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony, the Governor in Council certifies that his suffering that thing has been or will be treated as attributable to service for the purposes of entitlement to a gratuity or pension under any enactment relating to the disablement or death of members of the force of which he is a member:

Provided that this subsection shall not exempt a member of the said forces from liability in tort in any case in which the court is satisfied that the act or omission was not connected with the execution of his duties as a member of those forces.

(2) No proceedings in tort shall lie against the Crown for death or personal injury due to anything suffered by a member of the armed forces of the Crown if-

(a) that thing is suffered by him in consequence of the nature or condition of any such land, premises, ship, aircraft or vehicle as aforesaid, or in consequence of the nature or condition of any equipment or supplies used for the purposes of those forces; and

(b) (i) in the case of a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, the Minister of Pensions certifies as mentioned in subsection (1);

(ii) in the case of a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government

in the Colony, the Governor in Council certifies as mentioned in subsection (1); nor shall any act or omission of an officer of the Crown subject him to liability in tort for death or personal injury, in so far as the death or personal injury is due to anything suffered by a member of the armed forces of the Crown being a thing as to which the conditions aforesaid are satisfied.

(3) The Chief Secretary for Administration, if satisfied that it is the fact- (Amended L.N. 226 of 1976; L.N. 242 of 1994; L.N. 362 of 1997)

(a) that a person was or was not on any particular occasion on duty as a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony; or

(b) that at any particular time any land, premises, ship, aircraft, vehicle, equipment or supplies was or was

not, or were or were not, used for the purposes of the said forces, may issue a certificate certifying that to be the fact; and any such certificate shall, for the purposes of this section, be conclusive as to the fact which it certifies. [cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 10 U.K.]

(4) A certificate of The Ministry of Defence or a Secretary of State-

(a) that a person was or was not on any particular occasion on duty as a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom; or

(b) that at any particular time any land, premises, ship, aircraft, vehicle, equipment or supplies was or was

not, or were or were not, used for the purposes of the said forces, shall, for the purposes of this section, be conclusive as to the fact which it certifies.

(5) For the purposes of this section, "member of the armed forces of the Crown" (官方武裝部隊成員), unless the context otherwise requires, means a member of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony or in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be deemed by implication or otherwise to confer any right of action against the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
(1) Nothing in Part II of this Ordinance shall extinguish or abridge any powers or authorities which, if this Ordinance had not been passed, would have been exercisable by virtue of the prerogative of the Crown or any powers or authorities conferred on the Crown or the Governor by any statute or enactment, and, in particular, nothing in the said Part II shall extinguish or abridge any powers or authorities exercisable by the Crown, whether in time of peace or of war, for the purpose of the defence of the realm or of training, or maintaining the efficiency of, any of the armed forces of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom or in the Colony.
(2) Where in any proceedings under this Ordinance it is material to determine whether anything was properly done or omitted to be done in the exercise of the prerogative of the Crown, the Governor may, if satisfied that the act or omission was necessary for any such purpose as is mentioned in subsection (1), issue a certificate to the effect that the act or omission was necessary for that purpose; and the certificate shall, in those proceedings, be conclusive as to the matter so certified.

Section:	9	Saving in respect of acts done under prerogative and statutory powers		30/06/1997

[cf. 1947 c.44 s.11 U.K.]

Section:	10	Civil proceedings in the Supreme Court		30/06/1997

PART III

JURISDICTION AND PROCEDURE

Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, all such civil proceedings by or against the Crown as are mentioned in the First Schedule are hereby abolished, and all civil proceedings by or against the Crown in the Supreme Court shall be instituted and proceeded with in accordance with rules of court.

In this section, "rules of court" (法院規則) means, in relation to any claim against the Crown in the Supreme Court which falls within the jurisdiction of that court as a prize court, rules of court made under section 3 of the Prize Courts Act 1894 (1894 c. 39 U.K.).

[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 13 U.K.]

Section:	11	Civil proceedings in the District Court		30/06/1997

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, and to any enactment limiting the jurisdiction of the District

Court (whether by reference to the subject matter of the proceedings to be brought or the amount sought to be recovered in the proceedings or otherwise) any civil proceedings by or against the Crown may be instituted in the District Court.

(2) Any proceedings by or against the Crown in the District Court shall be instituted and proceeded with in

accordance with rules of court. (Amended 22 of 1962 s.49)

Section:	12	Interpleader		30/06/1997

The Crown may obtain relief by way of interpleader proceedings, and may be made a party to such proceedings, in the same manner in which a subject may obtain relief by way of such proceedings or be made a party thereto; and all rules of court relating to interpleader proceedings shall, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, have effect accordingly.

[cf. 1947 c.44 s. 16 U.K.]

Section:	13	Parties to proceedings	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

(1): Civil proceedings by or against the Crown instituted under the provisions of this Ordinance shall be instituted by or against the Secretary for Justice.
(2): No proceedings instituted in accordance with this Part of this Ordinance by or against the Secretary for Justice shall abate or be affected by any change in the person holding the office of Secretary for Justice.

(Amended L.N. 362 of 1997) [cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 17 U.K.]

Section:	14	Service of documents	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

All documents required to be served on the Crown for the purpose of or in connexion with any civil proceedings by or against the Crown shall be served on the Secretary for Justice. (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997) [cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 18 U.K.]

Section:	15	Removal and transfer of proceedings	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

(1): In any civil proceedings by or against the Crown the court shall, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, have power to make all such orders as it has power to make in proceedings between subjects, and otherwise to give such appropriate relief as the case may require:

Section:	16	Nature of relief		30/06/1997

Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE

Provided that-

(a) where in any proceedings against the Crown any such relief is sought as might in proceedings between subjects be granted by way of injunction or specific performance, the court shall not grant an injunction or make an order for specific performance, but may in lieu thereof make an order declaratory of the rights of the parties; and

(b) in any proceedings against the Crown for the recovery of land or other property the court shall not make an order for the recovery of the land or the delivery of the property, but may in lieu thereof make an order declaring that the plaintiff is entitled as against the Crown to the land or property or to the possession thereof.

(2) The court shall not in any civil proceedings grant any injunction or make any order against an officer of the Crown if the effect of granting the injunction or making the order would be to give any relief against the Crown which could not have been obtained in proceedings against the Crown.

[cf. 1947 c.44 s.21 U.K.]

Section:	17	Costs in civil proceedings to which the Crown is a party	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

In any civil proceedings or arbitration to which the Crown is a party, the costs of and incidental to the proceedings shall be awarded in the same manner and on the same principles as in cases between subjects, and the court or arbitrator shall have power to make an order for the payment of costs by or to the Crown accordingly :

Provided that-

(a) in the case of proceedings to which by reason of any enactment or otherwise the Secretary for Justice is authorized to be made a party, the court or arbitrator shall have regard to the nature of the proceedings and the character and circumstances in which the Secretary for Justice appears, and may in the exercise of its or his discretion order any other party to the proceedings to pay the costs of the Secretary for Justice whatever may be the result of the proceedings; and (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)

(b) nothing in this section shall affect the power of the court or arbitrator to order, or any enactment providing for, the payment of costs out of any particular fund or property, or any enactment expressly relieving any department or officer of the Crown of the liability to pay costs.

Section:	18	Appeals and stay of execution		30/06/1997

Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, all enactments and rules of court relating to appeals and stay of execution shall, with any necessary modifications, apply to civil proceedings by or against the Crown as they apply to proceedings between subjects.

[cf. 1947 c.44 s.22 U.K.]

Section:	19	Scope of Part III	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, any reference in this Part of this Ordinance to civil proceedings by the Crown shall be construed as a reference to the following proceedings only-

(a) proceedings for the enforcement or vindication of any right or the obtaining of any relief which, if this Ordinance had not been passed, might have been enforced or vindicated or obtained by any such proceedings as are mentioned in paragraph 1 of the First Schedule;

(b) proceedings for the enforcement or vindication of any right or the obtaining of any relief which, if this Ordinance had not been passed, might have been enforced or vindicated or obtained by an action at the suit of any Government department or any officer of the Crown as such;

(c) all such proceedings as the Crown is entitled to bring by virtue of this Ordinance; and the expression "civil proceedings by or against the Crown" (由官方提出或針對官方提出的民事法律程序) shall be construed accordingly.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, any reference in this Part of this Ordinance to civil proceedings against the Crown shall be construed as a reference to the following proceedings only

(b) proceedings for the enforcement or vindication of any right or the obtaining of any relief which, if this Ordinance had not been passed, might have been enforced or vindicated or obtained by any action against the Secretary for Justice, any Government department or any officer of the Crown as such; (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)

(c) all such proceedings as any person is entitled to bring against the Crown by virtue of this Ordinance; and the expression "civil proceedings by or against the Crown" (由官方提出或針對官方提出的民事法律程序) shall be construed accordingly.

(3) Notwithstanding anything in subsections (1) and (2), the provisions of this Part of this Ordinance shall not have effect with respect to any of the following proceedings, that is to say-

(a) proceedings brought by the Secretary for Justice on the relation of some other person;

(b) proceedings by or against the Official Trustee;

(c) proceedings by the Secretary for Justice or other person under Order 120, rules 3 and 4 of the Rules of the Supreme Court (Cap 4 sub. leg.). (Amended L.N. 117 of 1988; L.N. 282 of 1989; L.N. 162 of 1993; L.N. 362 of 1997)

PART IV

JUDGMENTS AND EXECUTION

(1) The provisions of any law relating to the payment of interest on judgment debts in proceedings between subjects shall apply to judgment debts due from or to the Crown.

(2) Where any costs are awarded to or against the Crown in the Supreme Court, interest shall be payable upon those costs unless the court otherwise orders, and any interest so payable shall be at the same rate as that at which interest is payable upon judgment debts due from or to the Crown.

(3) The provisions of any law empowering a Court of Record to award interest on debts and damages shall apply to judgments given in the proceedings by and against the Crown.

(4) This section shall apply both in relation to proceedings pending at the commencement of this Ordinance and

in relation to proceedings instituted thereafter. [cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 24 U.K.]

(2) A copy of any certificate issued under this section may be served by the person in whose favour the order is made upon the Secretary for Justice. (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)
(4): Save as aforesaid no execution or attachment or process in the nature thereof shall be issued out of any court for enforcing payment by the Crown of any such money or costs as aforesaid, and no person shall be individually liable under any order for the payment by the Crown, or any Government department, or any officer of the Crown as such, of any such money or costs.

(5) This section shall apply both in relation to proceedings pending at the commencement of this Ordinance and

in relation to proceedings instituted thereafter. [cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 25 U.K.]

Section:	22	Execution by the Crown		30/06/1997

(1): Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, any order made in favour of the Crown against any person in any civil proceedings to which the Crown is a party may be enforced in the same manner as an order made in an action between subjects and not otherwise.
(1): Where any money is payable by the Crown to some person who, under any order of any court, is liable to pay any money to any other person, and that other person would, if the money so payable by the Crown were money payable by a subject, be entitled under rules of court to obtain an order for the attachment thereof as a debt due or accruing due, or an order for the appointment of a sequestrator or receiver to receive the money on his behalf, the Supreme Court may, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and in accordance with rules of court, make an order restraining the first-mentioned person from receiving that money and directing payment thereof to that other person, or to the sequestrator or receiver:

Section:	23	Attachment of moneys payable by the Crown		30/06/1997

Provided that no such order shall be made in respect of-

(a): any wages or salary payable to any officer of the Crown as such;
(b): any money which is subject to the provisions of any enactment prohibiting or restricting assignment or charging or taking in execution.

(2) The provisions of subsection (1) shall, so far as they relate to forms of relief falling within the jurisdiction

of the District Court, have effect in relation to the District Court as they have effect in relation to the Supreme Court. [cf. 1947 c.44 s.27 U.K.]

Section:	24	Discovery		30/06/1997

PART V

MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTAL

(1) Subject to and in accordance with rules of court-

(a): in any civil proceedings in the Supreme Court or the District Court to which the Crown is a party, the Crown may be required by the court to make discovery of documents and produce documents for inspection; and
(b): in any such proceedings as aforesaid, the Crown may be required by the court to answer interrogatories:

Provided that this section shall be without prejudice to any rule of law which authorizes or requires the withholding of any document or the refusal to answer any question on the ground that the disclosure of the document or the answering of the question would be injurious to the public interest.

Any order of the court made under the powers conferred by paragraph (b) shall direct by what officer of the Crown the interrogatories are to be answered.

(2) Without prejudice to the proviso to subsection (1), any rules made for the purposes of this section shall be such as to secure that the existence of a document will not be disclosed if, in the opinion of the Governor, it would be injurious to the public interest to disclose the existence thereof.

[cf. 1947 c.44 s.28 U.K.]

Section:	25	Exclusion of proceedings in rem against the Crown		30/06/1997

(1): Nothing in this Ordinance shall authorize proceedings in rem in respect of any claim against the Crown, or the arrest, detention or sale of any ships or aircraft belonging to Her Majesty or the Government, or of any cargo or other property belonging to the Crown, or give to any person any lien on any such ship, aircraft, cargo or other property.
(2): Where proceedings in rem have been instituted in the Supreme Court or the District Court against any such ship, aircraft, cargo or other property, the court may, if satisfied, either on an application by the plaintiff for an order under this subsection or an application by the Crown to set aside the proceedings, that the proceedings were so instituted by the plaintiff in the reasonable belief that the ship, aircraft, cargo or other property did not belong to the Crown, order that the proceedings shall be treated as if they were in personam duly instituted against the Crown in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance, or duly instituted against any other person whom the court regards as the proper person to be sued in the circumstances, and that the proceedings shall continue accordingly.

Any such order may be made upon such terms, if any, as the court thinks just; and where the court makes any such order it may make such consequential orders as the court thinks expedient. [cf. 1947 c.44 s.29 U.K.]

Section:	26	Limitation of actions		30/06/1997

Nothing in this Ordinance shall prejudice the right of the Crown to rely upon the law relating to the limitation of time for bringing proceedings against public authorities. [cf. 1947 c.44 s.30 U.K.]

Section:	27	Application to the Crown of certain statutory provisions		30/06/1997

(1): This Ordinance shall not prejudice the right of the Crown to take advantage of the provisions of a statute or enactment although not named therein; and it is hereby declared that in any civil proceedings against the Crown the provisions of any statute or enactment which could, if the proceedings were between subjects, be relied upon by the defendant as a defence to the proceedings, whether in whole or in part, or otherwise, may, subject to any express provision to the contrary, be so relied upon by the Crown.
(2): Order 44A, rule 1 of the Rules of the Supreme Court (Cap 4 sub. leg) (which empowers the court in certain circumstances to order the defendant about to leave the jurisdiction of the court to furnish security) shall, with any necessary modifications, apply to civil proceedings in the Supreme Court by the Crown.

Section:	28	No abatement on demise of Crown		30/06/1997

No claim by or against the Crown, and no proceedings for the enforcement of any such claim, shall abate or be affected by the demise of the Crown. [cf. 1947 c.44 s.32 U.K.]

Section:	29	Abolition of certain writs		30/06/1997

No writ of extent or of diem clausit extremum shall issue after the commencement of this Ordinance.
[cf. 1947 c.44 s.33 U.K.]

Section:	30	Rules of court	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

(3): Provision may be made by rules of court for regulating any appeals to the Supreme Court, whether by way of case stated or otherwise, under enactments relating to the revenue, and any rules made under this subsection may revoke any enactments or rules in force immediately before the commencement of this Ordinance so far as they regulate any such appeals, and may make provision for any matters for which provision was made by any enactments or rules so in force.

Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE

[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 35 U.K.]

Section:	31	Pending proceedings		30/06/1997

Save as otherwise expressly provided, the provisions of this Ordinance shall not affect proceedings by or against the Crown which have been instituted before the commencement of this Ordinance; and for the purpose of this section proceedings against the Crown shall be deemed to have been so instituted if a statement of claim with respect to the matter in question has been filed and a sealed copy thereof has been served upon the Attorney General before the commencement of this Ordinance.

[cf. 1947 c.44 s.36 U.K.]

Section:	32	Financial provisions		30/06/1997

(1) Any expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony by reason of the passing of this Ordinance shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by the Legislative Council.

(2) Any sums payable to the Crown by reason of the passing of this Ordinance shall be paid into the Treasury. [cf. 1947 c.44 s.37 U.K.]

Section:	33	Statutes no longer effective		30/06/1997

The statutes set out in the Second Schedule to this Ordinance shall no longer have effect in the Colony to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

Cap 300 - CROWN PROCEEDINGS ORDINANCE

[cf. 1947 c.44 s.39 U.K.]

(1) Nothing in this Ordinance shall apply to proceedings by or against, or authorize proceedings in tort to be brought against, Her Majesty in Her private capacity.

(2) Except as therein otherwise expressly provided, nothing in this Ordinance shall-

(a): affect the law relating to prize salvage, or apply to proceedings in causes or matters within the jurisdiction of any court as a prize court or to any criminal proceedings; or
(b): authorize proceedings to be taken against the Crown under or in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance in respect of any alleged liability of the Crown arising otherwise than in respect of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony, or affect proceedings against the Crown in respect of any such alleged liability as aforesaid; or
(d): affect any proceedings by the Crown otherwise than in right of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony; or
(e): subject the Crown to any greater liabilities in respect of the acts or omissions of any independent contractor employed by the Crown than those to which the Crown would be subject in respect of such acts or omissions if it were a private person; or
(f): affect any rules of evidence or any presumption relating to the extent to which the Crown is bound by any statute or enactment; or
(g): affect any right of the Crown to demand a trial at bar or to control or otherwise intervene in proceedings affecting its rights, property or profits; or
(h): affect any right of the Secretary for Justice, any Government department or any officer of the Crown as such to institute proceedings under or in accordance with the provisions of any other enactment; (Amended L.N. 362 of 1997)

and, without prejudice to the general effect of the foregoing provisions, Part IV of this Ordinance shall not apply to the Crown except in right of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony.

(3) A certificate of the Chief Secretary for Administration- (Amended L.N. 226 of 1976; L.N. 242 of 1994;

L.N. 362 of 1997)

(a): to the effect that any alleged liability of the Crown arises otherwise than in respect of Her Majesty's Government in the Colony;
(b): to the effect that any proceedings by the Crown are proceedings otherwise than in right of Her

Majesty's Government in the Colony, shall, for the purposes of this Ordinance, be conclusive as to the matter so certified.

(4): Where any property vests in the Crown by virtue of any rule of law which operates independently of the acts or the intentions of the Crown, the Crown shall not by virtue of this Ordinance be subject to any liabilities in tort by reason only of the property being so vested; but the provisions of this subsection shall be without prejudice to the liabilities of the Crown under this Ordinance in respect of any period after the Crown or any person acting for the Crown has in fact taken possession or control of any such property, or entered into occupation thereof.
(5): This Ordinance shall not operate to limit the discretion of the court to grant relief by way of mandamus in cases in which such relief might have been granted before the commencement of this Ordinance, notwithstanding that by reason of the provisions of this Ordinance some other and further remedy is available.

[cf. 1947 c. 44 s. 40 U.K.]

[section 10]

1. (1) Latin informations and English informations.

(2): Writs of capias ad respondendum, writs of subpoena ad respondendum, and writs of appraisement.
(3): Writs of scire facias.
(4): Proceedings for the determination of any issue upon a writ of extent or of diem clausit extremum.

2. (1) Proceedings by way of petition of right under section 52 of the Naval Prize Act 1864 (1864 c. 25 U.K.).

(2) Proceedings against Her Majesty by way of monstrans de droit.

[section 33]
Session and Chapter	Title or Short title		Extent of Repeal
1297 c. 18 U.K.	The King's Tenant his Debtor	The whole Act
1785 c. 35 U.K.	The Crown Debtors Act 1785	The whole Act
1817 c. 117 U.K.	The Extents in Aid Act 1817	The whole Act
1842 c. 86 U.K.	The Exchequer Court Act 1842	Section 9

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章： 300 官方法律程序條例

章：	300	官方法律程序條例	憲報編號	版本日期

		詳題		30/06/1997

本條例旨在修訂關於官方的民事法律責任及權利的法律，修訂關於由官方提出及針對官方提出的民事法律程序的法律，修訂關於在某些涉及官方的事務或財產的個案中非官方的人的民事法律責任的法律，並且為與前述事宜相關的目的而修訂法律。

[1957年11月1日] 1957年A81號政府公告

(本為1957年第18號)

條：	1	簡稱		30/06/1997

第I部導言本條例可引稱為《官方法律程序條例》。

條：	2	釋義	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

本條例中凡提述本條例的條文，除文意另有所指外，須包括提述為施行本條例而訂立的法院規則。
在本條例中，除文意另有所指或另有明文規定外，下列各詞的涵義即為於此分別給予該等詞的涵義─ “人員”(officer) 就官方而言，包括官方的任何受僱人； “民事法律程序”(civil proceedings) 包括為追討罰款或罰金而在最高法院或地方法院進行的法律程

序，但不包括性質屬假若在英格蘭則於女皇陛下高等司法院皇座法庭公訴部*進行的法律程序；

“代理人”(agent) 當用於官方時，包括由官方僱用的獨立承辦商；

“命令”(order) 包括判決、判令、規令、裁決或宣布；

“法定責任”(statutory duty) 指由任何國會法令或條例施加或根據任何國會法令或條例施加的任何責任；

“法院規則”(rules of court) 指由權力機關訂立的規則，而該權力機關是當其時有權力訂立規則及命令以規管最高法院或地方法院(視屬何情況而定)的常規及程序的；

“訂明”(prescribed) 指由法院規則訂明；

“針對官方提出的法律程序”(proceedings against the Crown) 包括在官方提出的法律程序中藉抵銷或反

申索而提出的申索； “船舶”(ship) 包括各類非靠槳力推進而用於航行的船隻。

(3) 在本條例中，凡提述私人身分的女皇陛下，須解釋為包括提述蘭加斯特公國#的女皇陛下。

(4) 在本條例第IV或V部中，凡提述由官方提出或針對官方提出的民事法律程序，或以官方作為一方的民事法律程序，須解釋為包括提述以律政司司長或任何政府部門或任何作為官方人員的官方人員作為一方的民事法律程序：

但為施行本條例第IV及V部，不得只因民事法律程序是由律政司司長基於其他人的促訟而提出，而將官方視為任何法律程序的一方。 (由1997年第362號法律公告修訂) (5) 本條例中對任何成文法則的提述，須解釋為提述經由或根據任何成文法則(包括本條例)而修

訂的該成文法則。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 38 U.K.]

註：

* “女皇陛下高等司法院皇座法庭公訴部”乃 "the Crown side of the Queen's Bench Division

of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice" 之譯名。 # “蘭加斯特公國”乃 "Her Duchy of Lancaster" 之譯名。

條：	3	起訴官方的權利		30/06/1997

第II部

實體法

任何人如在本條例生效日期後有某項針對官方提出的申索，而假若本條例不曾通過，該項申索本可在經總督同意後根據最高法院規則而強制執行，或本可透過任何因本條例而在香港停止生效的法規所規定的法律程序而強制執行，或本可透過任何由本條例廢除的成文法則而強制執行，則在符合本條例條文的規定下，即有當然的權利，可按照本條例的條文採取針對官方的法律程序以強制執行該項申索，無須總督的同意。

[比照 1947 c. 44 s. 1 U.K.]

條：	4	官方的侵權法律責任		30/06/1997

(1) 在符合本條例條文的規定下，官方假若為一名成年而具有完全行為能力的私人時本會─

(a) 就其受僱人或代理人所犯的侵權行為；

(b)就某些責任的違反，而按照普通法該等責任是任何人因作為僱主而對其受僱人或代理人負有的；及

(2): 凡官方受任何法定責任所約束，而該項責任對不屬官方及官方人員的人亦具有約束力，在符合本條例條文的規定下，官方假若為一名成年而具有完全行為能力的私人時本會就沒有履行該責任而須承擔某些侵權法律責任(如有的話)，則官方須承擔所有該等責任。
(3): 凡根據普通法的任何規則或根據成文法則或法規而將任何職能賦予或委予作為官方人員的官方人員，而該名人員在履行或其意是履行該等職能時犯了侵權行為，則官方的侵權法律責任，須為假若該等職能是純粹憑藉官方合法地發出的指示而賦予或委予時本會有的一樣。
(4): 任何成文法則，如對政府部門或官方人員就其所犯侵權行為須負的法律責任的程度予以否定或限制的，則在根據本條就該部門或人員所犯侵權行為而針對官方提出的法律程序中，就官方而言適用，一如針對官方提出的法律程序若是針對該部門或人員提出時，該成文法則本會就該部門或人員而言適用。

(5)不得因任何人在履行或其意是履行任何歸於他的屬司法性質的責任時，或在履行或其意是履行任何他具有的與司法程序文件的執行相關的責任時所作出或不作出的任何事情，憑藉本條而針對官方進行法律程序。

(6) (a)儘管本條的條文有所規定，不得藉此就官方所擁有的船舶、船塢或海港而將法律責任施加於官方。

(b)本款繼續有效，直至總督藉憲報文告而指定的一個日期為止，而本款的有效期於當時

屆滿。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 2 U.K.]

條：	5	關於工業財產的條文		30/06/1997

凡在本條例生效日期後，如官方的任何受僱人或代理人侵犯一項專利，或侵犯一個註冊商標，或侵犯任何版權，或侵犯任何註冊外觀設計，而有關的侵犯行為是獲得官方授權進行的，則在符合本條例的條文下，就此項侵犯行為而提出的民事法律程序可針對官方進行。
第(1)款或本條例任何其他條文並不影響官方根據《註冊外觀設計條例》(第522章)第36至40條而具有的權力。 (由1979年第25號第12條修訂；由1997年第256號法律公告修訂；由1997年第52號第162條修訂)

除本條明文規定者外，不得憑藉本條例就侵犯一項專利、侵犯一個註冊商標、或侵犯本條第(1)款所述的任何版權或註冊外觀設計而針對官方進行法律程序。
(由1997年第64號第94條修訂) [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 3 U.K.]

凡官方憑藉本條例本部而須承擔任何法律責任，則關於彌償及分擔的法律，可就官方如此承擔的法律責任，由官方強制執行或針對官方而強制執行，猶如官方是一名成年而具有完全行為能力的私人一樣。

(2) (由1984年第77號第10條廢除)
在不損害本條例第4條的一般效力的原則下，《法律修訂及改革(綜合)條例》(第23章)第21條

條：	6	關於彌償、分擔、共同及各別侵權行為人，以及共分疏忽的法律的適用範圍		30/06/1997

(該條修訂關於共分疏忽的法律)對官方具約束力。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 4 U.K.]

條：	7	與郵包相關的法律責任		30/06/1997

除下文另有規定外，不得因任何人在受聘為官方受僱人或代理人時所作出或不作出的關於郵包的事情，而針對官方進行任何侵權法律程序；任何官方人員亦無須就任何前述事宜承擔任何民事法律責任，但由官方起訴者則除外。
儘管《郵政署條例》(第98章)第7條的條文另有規定，如官方受僱人或代理人在以該身分履行或其意是履行關於接收、運送、派遞或以其他方式處理本地掛號郵包的職能時，因錯誤作為、疏忽或失責而導致郵包遺失或損壞，則就郵包的遺失或損壞而提出的法律程序可根據本款針對官方進行：

但─

(a) 不得就在本條例生效日期前掛號的郵包根據本款進行法律程序；

(b)在任何根據本款進行的法律程序中可討回的款額，不得超逾訴訟因由產生時有關郵包的市場價值(不包括郵包所包含的任何訊息或資料的市場價值)；

(c)在任何情況下，在此等法律程序中可討回的款額，均不得超逾根據《郵政署規例》(第98章，附屬法例)規定的在顧及將郵包掛號而繳付的費用後可供補償受屈的人的最高款額；及

(d)官方無須根據本款就任何郵包負法律責任，除非就該郵包而言，《郵政署規例》(第98章，附屬法例)所訂明的關於本地掛號郵包的條件已獲符合。

就根據本款而進行的任何法律程序而言，除非代表官方提出的相反證明成立，否則須推定郵包的遺失或損壞是因官方受僱人或代理人在以該身分履行或其意是履行關於接收、運送、派遞或以其他方式處理郵包的職能時，其所犯的錯誤作為、疏忽或失責而導致。

(3)除非有關郵包的寄件人或收件人提出申索，否則不得根據第(2)款獲得濟助；而該郵包的寄件人或收件人不論他是否因所申訴損害而受損的人，均有權就該郵包申索該款所指的濟助，並且有權對根據該款而就該郵包提出的所有申索給予充分的責任解除：

但如有任何並非該郵包的寄件人或收件人的人提出申請，而法庭信納該寄件人及收件人不能夠或不願意根據該款就該郵包強制執行其補救，則法庭可在施加法院認為公正的關於訟費保證的條款或其他條款的情況下，容許該其他人根據該款以該郵包的寄件人或收件人的名義提出法律程序。

在本款中凡提述郵包的寄件人或收件人，即包括提述其遺產代理人。

凡任何人憑藉第(3)款討回任何金錢或財產，而該等金錢或財產是若非有該款則本可由其他人討回的，則該等如此討回的金錢或財產須以信託方式為該其他人持有。
為施行本條，可訂立《郵政署規例》(第98章，附屬法律)，以訂明就本地掛號郵包而言須予遵照的條件。

(6) 在本條中─ “郵包”(postal packet) 除下文另有規定外，涵義與《郵政署條例》(第98章)中該詞的涵義相同； “《郵政署規例》”(Post Office Regulations) 的涵義與《郵政署條例》(第98章)中該詞的涵義相同； “本地郵包”(inland postal packet) 指在香港投寄以在香港派遞予郵包收件人的郵包； “寄件人”(sender) 就郵包而言，涵義與《郵政署規例》(第98章，附屬法例)給予該詞的涵義相同。
(7) 在本條中凡提述郵包，須解釋為包括提述郵包的內載物件。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 9 U.K.]

在下述情況下，官方武裝部隊成員以該身分當值時作出或不作出任何事情，導致另一人死亡或導致另一人身體受傷，則只要該宗死亡或身體受傷是因該另一人作為官方武裝部隊成員時經受的任何事情所致，該成員或官方無須因該宗死亡或身體受傷而承擔侵權法律責任─

(a)當該另一人經受該事情時，他正在以官方武裝部隊成員身分當值，或雖然不是以該身分當值，卻身處於當其時為官方武裝部隊而使用的土地、處所、船舶、航空器或車輛之上；並且
(b) (i) 如該另一人是聯合王國女皇陛下政府的官方武裝部隊成員，而就根據關於他所屬部隊成員的傷殘或死亡的皇室委任狀*、樞密院頒令或女皇陛下命令有權獲發給利益方面而言，退休金大臣#證明他經受該事情已被或會被視作歸因於其服務；

(ii) 如該另一人是香港的女皇陛下政府的官方武裝部隊成員，而就根據關於他所屬部隊成員的傷殘或死亡的條例有權獲得恩恤金或退休金方面而言，總督會同行政局證明他經受該事情已被或會被視作歸因於其服務：

但如法庭信納該作為或不作為與該名官方武裝部隊成員以該身分執行其職務無關連，則本款並不豁免他的侵權法律責任。

(2)在下述情況下，不得因官方武裝部隊成員所經受的任何事情引致死亡或身體受傷而針對官方進行侵權法律程序─

(a)該成員所經受的事情是因前述土地、處所、船舶、航空器或車輛的性質或狀況而導致，或為該部隊而使用的裝備或供應品的性質或狀況而導致；並且

(b) (i) 如屬聯合王國女皇陛下政府的官方武裝部隊成員，而退休金大臣#有如第(1)款所述予以證明；

(ii)如屬香港的女皇陛下政府的官方武裝部隊成員，而總督會同行政局有如第(1)款所

述予以證明；而且只要官方武裝部隊成員所經受並引致死亡或身體受傷的事情符合前述條件，則任何官方人員並不因其作為或不作為而須就該宗死亡或身體受傷承擔侵權法律責任。

(3) 政務司司長如信納以下事實─ (由1976年第226號法律公告修訂；由1997年第362號法律公告修訂)

(a)某人在任何特定情況下是或不是以香港的女皇陛下政府的官方武裝部隊成員身分當值的；或

(b)某土地、處所、船舶、航空器、車輛、裝備或供應品在任何特定時間是或不是為該部

隊而使用的，則可發出證明書證明以上所述者為事實；為施行本條，證明書就其所證明事實而言屬不可推翻者。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 10 U.K.]

(4) 國防部或一名國務大臣如以證明書證明─

(a)某人在任何特定情況下是或不是以聯合王國女皇陛下政府的官方武裝部隊成員身分當值的；或

(b)某土地、處所、船舶、航空器、車輛、裝備或供應品在任何特定時間是或不是為該部

隊而使用的，則為施行本條，證明書就其所證明事實而言屬不可推翻者。

(5) 為施行本條，除文意另有所指外，“官方武裝部隊成員”(member of the armed forces of theCrown) 指香港的女皇陛下政府或聯合王國女皇陛下政府的官方武裝部隊的成員。

(6) 本條不得當作為藉隱含或其他方法而賦予針對英皇聯合王國政府進行訴訟的權利。

註：

*: “皇室委任狀”乃“Royal Warrant”之譯名。 # “退休金大臣”乃“Minister of Pensions”之譯名。; (1) 本條例第II部並不終絕或削減假若本條例不曾通過時本可憑藉官方特權而行使的任何權力或權限，或任何法規或成文法則賦予官方或總督的權力或權限，尤其是第II部並不終絕或削減官方(不論戰爭時或和平時)為保衞領土，或為香港的女皇陛下政府或聯合王國女皇陛下政府的武裝部隊的訓練或維持效率所可行使的權力或權限。
(2): 凡在根據本條例進行的法律程序中，就行使官方特權時任何事情是妥為作出或妥為不作出的問題而作裁定乃具關鍵性者，總督如信納該作為或不作為是達致第(1)款所述任何目的所需的，則可發出證明書證明該作為或不作為是達致該目的所需的；而證明書在該等法律程序中就如此證明的事宜而言屬不可推翻者。

條：	9	就根據特權或法定權力作出的事情的保留條文		30/06/1997

[比照 1947 c. 44 s. 11 U.K.]

條：	10	最高法院民事法律程序		30/06/1997

第III部司法管轄權及程序

除本條例的條文另有規定外，附表1所述由官方提出或針對官方提出的所有民事法律程序現予廢除，而在最高法院的由官方提出或針對官方提出的所有民事法律程序須按照法院規則提起和進行。

在本條中，“法院規則”(rules of court) 就在最高法院的針對官方提出而屬最高法院作為虜獲法庭的司法管轄權範圍內的申索而言，指根據《1894年虜獲法庭法令》*(1894 c. 39 U.K.)第3條訂立的法院規則。

[比照 1947 c. 44 s. 13 U.K.]

註：

*: “《1894年虜獲法庭法令》”乃“Prize Courts Act 1984”之譯名。
(1): 除本條例的條文以及任何限制地方法院司法管轄權的成文法則(不論是藉參照所提出的法律程序的標的、在該等法律程序中所追討的款額或在其他方面而予以限制)另有規定外，由官方提出或針對官方提出的民事法律程序可在地方法院提起。

條：	11	地方法院民事法律程序		30/06/1997

(2) 任何在地方法院的由官方提出或針對官方提出的法律程序須按照法院規則提起和進行。 (由1962年第22號第49條修訂)

條：	12	互爭權利訴訟		30/06/1997

官方可藉互爭權利訴訟的法律程序取得濟助，亦可被列為該等法律程序的一方，方式與子民可藉互爭權利訴訟的法律程序取得濟助或被列為該等法律程序一方的方式相同；除本條例的條文另有規定外，所有關於互爭權利訴訟的法律程序的法院規則須據此而具有效力。

[比照 1947 c. 44 s. 16 U.K.]

條：	13	法律程序的各方	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

根據本條例的條文由官方提出或針對官方提出的民事法律程序，須由律政司司長提起或針對律政司司長提起。
按照本條例本部由律政司司長提起或針對律政司司長提起的法律程序，並不因擔任律政司司長職位的人有所轉換而中止或受到影響。

(由1997年第362號法律公告修訂) [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 17 U.K.]

條：	14	文件的送達	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

為了由官方提出或針對官方提出的民事法律程序或與該等法律程序相關而須向官方送達的所有文件，須向律政司司長送達。 (由1997年第362號法律公告修訂) [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 18 U.K.]

條：	15	法律程序的轉移及移交	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

如在地方法院的針對官方提起的法律程序中，官方為此向最高法院作出申請，並向該法院提交一份律政司司長的證明書，證明該法律程序可能涉及一項重要的法律問題，或可能對同一事宜所產生的其他案件具決定性，或因其他理由而較適合在最高法院審訊，則法律程序須轉移至最高法院。 (由1997年第362號法律公告修訂)
凡法律程序在如前述般提交證明書後轉移至最高法院，而審理該等法律程序的法庭覺得該項轉移使提出該等法律程序的人增加開支，則該法庭就判給訟費而行使權力時，可對如此增加的開支加以考慮。

在不損害官方根據第(1)款所具權利的原則下，所有關於法律程序從地方法院轉移至或移交最高法院、或從最高法院移交地方法院的法律規則或成文法則，均就針對官方提出的法律程序而言適用：
但沒有官方同意時，不得作出命令，將在最高法院的針對官方提出的法律程序移交地方法院。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 20 U.K.]

除本條例的條文另有規定外，在由官方提出或針對官方提出的任何民事法律程序中，法院有權作出其在子民與子民之間的法律程序中有權作出的所有命令，並有權按案件所需而給予適當的濟助：

條：	16	濟助的性質		30/06/1997

但─

(a)在針對官方提出的法律程序中，如所尋求的濟助，是在子民與子民之間的法律程序中本會以強制令或特定履行令的方式批給的濟助，則法院不得批出強制令或作出特定履行令，但可代之以作出一項屬宣布訴訟各方的權利的命令；及

(b)在針對官方提出收回土地或其他財產的法律程序中，法院不得作出收回土地或交付財產的命令，但可代之以作出一項屬宣布原告人相對於官方有權享有該土地或財產或其管有權的命令。

(2)在任何民事法律程序中，如針對官方人員授予強制令或作出任何命令的效力是給予任何本

不可在針對官方提出的法律程序中取得的濟助，則法院不得授予該強制令或作出該命令。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 21 U.K.]

條：	17	以官方作為一方的民事法律程序的訟費	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

在以官方作為一方的任何民事法律程序或仲裁中，該等法律程序的訟費或附帶費用的判給方式及原則，須與在子民與子民之間的案件中所採用者相同；法院或仲裁員據此有權作出一項須向官方支付或由官方支付訟費的命令：

但─

(a)如因任何成文法則或其他理由而准許將律政司司長列為該等法律程序的一方，則法院或仲裁員須顧及法律程序的性質及律政司司長以何身分和在何情況下出席，並可行使其酌情決定權，命令法律程序的任何其他一方支付律政司司長的訟費而不論該等法律程序的結果如何；及 (由1997年第362號法律公告修訂)

(b)本條並不影響法院或仲裁員命令或任何成文法則規定從任何特定款項或財產中支付訟費的權力，或任何成文法則明文解除官方任何部門或人員支付訟費的法律責任的權力。

條：	18	上訴及擱置執行		30/06/1997

除本條例的條文另有規定外，所有關於上訴及擱置執行的成文法則及法院規則，在經過必需的變通後，適用於由官方提出或針對官方提出的民事法律程序，一如其適用於子民與子民之間的法律程序。

[比照 1947 c. 44 s. 22 U.K.]

條：	19	第III部的範圍	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

除本條的條文另有規定外，本條例本部中凡提述由官方提出的民事法律程序，須解釋為只提述下列法律程序─

(a)為強制執行或證實任何權利或為取得任何濟助的法律程序，而該權利或濟助是假若本條例不曾通過，則本可透過附表1第1段所述的任何法律程序而強制執行、證實或取得的；
(b)為強制執行或證實任何權利或為取得任何濟助的法律程序，而該權利或濟助是假若本條例不曾通過，則本可透過由政府部門或官方人員以該身分起訴的訴訟而強制執行、證實或取得的；

除本條的條文另有規定外，本條例本部中凡提述針對官方提出的民事法律程序，須解釋為只提述下列法律程序─

(a)為強制執行或證實任何權利或為取得任何濟助的法律程序，而該權利或濟助是假若本條例不曾通過，則本可透過附表1第2段所述的任何法律程序而強制執行、證實或取得的；
(b)為強制執行或證實任何權利或為取得任何濟助的法律程序，而該權利或濟助是假若本條例不曾通過，則本可透過針對律政司司長、政府部門或作為官方人員的官方人員提出的任何訴訟而強制執行、證實或取得的； (由1997年第362號法律公告修訂)

(3) 儘管第(1)及(2)款已有規定，本條例本部的條文就下列法律程序而言不具效力─

(a) 由律政司司長基於其他人的促訟而提出的法律程序；

(b) 由法定受託人提出或針對法定受託人提出的法律程序；

(c)由律政司司長或其他人根據《最高法院規則》(第4章，附屬法例)第120號命令第3及4條規則提出的法律程序。 (由1988年第117號法律公告修訂；由1989年第282號法律公告修訂；由1997年第362號法律公告修訂)

條：	20	債項、損害賠償及訟費的利息		30/06/1997

第IV部判決及執行

(1)任何關於支付子民與子民之間的法律程序的判定債項利息的法律的條文，均適用於欠官方

的或官方欠的判定債項。

凡在最高法院中判給官方訟費或判定官方須支付訟費，則除法院另有命令外，須就該訟費支付利息；任何如此須支付的利息，其利率與欠官方或官方欠的判定債項所須付的利息的利率相同。

任何授權任何紀錄法庭就損害賠償及債項判給利息的法律的條文，均適用於由官方提出或針對官方提出的法律程序中作出的判決。
(4) 本條就於本條例生效日期當日待決的以及於該日期後提起的法律程序而言均適用。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 24 U.K.]

在由官方提出或針對官方提出的民事法律程序中，或在一如在英格蘭女皇陛下高等司法院皇座法庭公訴部*進行的法律程序一樣的法律程序中，或在與以官方作為一方的仲裁相關時，如任何法院作出任何命令(包括支付訟費命令)而該命令是針對官方、政府部門或作為官方人員的官方人員而判任何人勝訴的，則法院的適當人員須在該人或其代表於命令作出日期起計二十一天屆滿後，或如命令規定須支付訟費而訟費須予評定，則在訟費評定後(兩者以較後者為準)就此事提出申請時，向該人發出一份按訂明格式的載有該命令詳情的證明書：
但如法院作出指示，則須就命令付予申請人的任何訟費(如有的話)發出一份獨立的證明書。

(2) 根據本條發出的任何證明書的文本，可由獲該命令判勝訴的人送達律政司司長。 (由1997年第362號法律公告修訂)

如該命令規定支付任何款項，作為損害賠償或其他付款，或規定須支付任何訟費，該證明書須述明如此須付的款額；除下文另有規定外，庫務署署長須向有權收取該款額的人或其律師支付證明書上所載欠該人的款額，及合法的到期應付的利息(如有的話)： (由1977年第16號法律公告修訂)
但作出任何前述命令或處理就該等命令所提出的上訴的法院，可指示暫停支付全部任何如此須付的款額或其任何部分，不論是否有上訴待決，又如證明書並未發出，則可命令在證明書上加入該等指示。

除前述規定外，不得自任何法院發出執行書、扣押書或屬此性質的法律程序文件，以強制執行由官方支付前述任何款項或訟費；任何人不須因任何規定官方、政府部門或作為官方人員的官方人員支付該等款項或訟費的命令而以個人身分承擔法律責任。

條：	21	針對官方的命令的履行	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

(5) 本條就於本條例生效日期當日待決的以及於該日期後提起的法律程序而言均適用。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 25 U.K.]

註：

*: “女皇陛下高等司法院皇座法庭公訴部”乃“the Crown side of the Queen's Bench Division of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice”之譯名。
(1): 除本條例的條文另有規定外，在以官方作為一方的任何民事法律程序中，針對任何人所作出判官方勝訴的命令，其執行方式與在子民與子民之間的訴訟中作出的命令的執行方式相同，而並非以其他方式執行。
(1): 凡官方須付任何款項予某人，而該人根據任何法院的任何命令有法律責任支付任何款項予任何其他人，並且假若官方如此須付的款項是某子民須付的款項時則該其他人根據法院規則，有權取得以該款項為所欠或累算欠的債項而予以扣押的命令，或取得委任暫時扣押人或接管人代表收取該款項的命令，則除本條例的條文另有規定外以及在按照法院規則的情況下，最高法院可作出命令，制止首述的人收取該款項，並指示向該其他人或暫時扣押人或接管人支付該款項：

條：	22	由官方執行		30/06/1997

條：	23	官方須付的款項的扣押		30/06/1997

但不得就下列各項作出該命令─

(a) 須付予作為官方人員的官方人員的任何工資或薪金；

(b) 受任何禁止或限制轉讓、作押記或扣押的成文法則規限的款項。

(2)第(1)款的條文，如關於地方法院司法管轄權範圍以內的各種形式的濟助，則就地方法院而

言具有效力，一如其就最高法院而言具有效力。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 27 U.K.]

條：	24	文件透露		30/06/1997

第V部

雜項及補充條文

(1) 在符合並按照法院規則的情況下─
(a)在以官方作為一方的最高法院或地方法院的任何民事法律程序中，法院可規定官方透露文件和交出文件以供查閱；及

(b) 在前述的法律程序中，法院可規定官方回答質詢：但本條並不損害以披露文件或回答問題會危害公眾利益為理由而授權或規定不交出文件或不回

答問題的任何法律規則。法院根據(b)段賦予的權力而作出的任何命令，須指示有關質詢由官方人員中何人回答。

(2)在不損害第(1)款但書的原則下，任何為施行本條而訂立的規則須確保在總督認為披露某份

文件的存在會危害公眾利益時，該份文件的存在不會被披露。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 28 U.K.]

條：	25	豁除針對官方提出對物法律程序		30/06/1997

本條例並無授權就任何針對官方提出的申索進行對物法律程序，或授權扣留、扣押或出售屬於女皇陛下或政府的船舶或航空器或屬於官方的貨物或其他財產，或就該等船舶、航空器、貨物或其他財產而給予任何人留置權。
凡在最高法院或地方法院提起就此等船舶、航空器、貨物或其他財產的對物法律程序，法院在收到原告人要求根據本款作出命令的申請或官方要求撤銷有關法律程序的申請後，如信納原告人如此提起法律程序是基於有合理理由相信有關船舶、航空器、貨物或其他財產並非屬於官方，則可命令將該等法律程序視作猶如根據本條例的條文針對官方而妥為提起的或針對法院認為在有關情況下應為被告人的人而妥為提起的對人法律程序一樣，而有關法律程序須據此繼續進行。

任何該等命令可施加法院認為公正的條款(如有的話)而作出；法院如作出此等命令，可另作出其認為合宜的相應命令。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 29 U.K.]

條：	26	訴訟的時效		30/06/1997

本條例並不損害官方倚賴關於針對公共權力機關提出法律程序的時效的法律的權利。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 30 U.K.]

條：	27	某些法定條文對官方的適用範圍		30/06/1997

本條例並不損害官方利用任何法規或成文法則的條文，即使在有關條文中並無提及官方亦然；現宣布在任何針對官方提出的民事法律程序中，假若其為子民與子民之間的法律程序，即有任何法規或成文法則的條文是被告人可在該等法律程序中完全或部分倚賴作為答辯或以其他方式倚賴的，則除有相反的明文規定外，官方可如此倚賴該等條文。
《最高法院規則》(第4章，附屬法例)第44A號命令第1條規則(授權法院在某些情況下命令即將離開法院司法管轄範圍的被告人提交保證)在經過必需的變通後，適用於由官方在最高法院提出的民事法律程序。

條：	28	皇位的繼承並不使法律程序中止		30/06/1997

由官方提出或針對官方提出的申索，或為強制執行此等申索的法律程序，並不因皇位的繼承而中止或受影響。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 32 U.K.]

條：	29	廢去某些令狀		30/06/1997

本條例生效日期後不得發出收回債款扣押令狀或去世債務人財產官方扣押令狀。
[比照 1947 c. 44 s. 33 U.K.]

條：	30	法院規則	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

任何訂立法院規則的權力包括為實施本條例的條文而訂立規則的權力，而此等規則可載有就由官方提出或針對官方提出的法律程序而言具有效力的條文，以取代任何適用於子民與子民之間的法律程序的規則或對該等規則作出增補。
(2) 法院規則須就以下事宜訂立條文─

(a) 如屬官方針對並非居於香港的人(不論該人是否英聯邦子民)提出法律程序的情況，就送達法律程序文件或通知書作出規定； (由1982年第80號第2條修訂)
(b)確保按照本條例的條文針對官方提出民事法律程序的原告人，在官方須就有關法律程序採取任何步驟前，向官方提供官方合理要求的資料，而該資料是關於指稱官方法律責任已產生的情況以及有關政府部門與人員的；
(c)如屬針對官方提出法律程序的情況，規定原告人除非向法院提出申請(而官方已就該項申請獲通知)後取得法院的許可，否則不得以官方沒有應訴或欠缺狀書而登錄一項判官方敗訴的判決；
(d)將針對官方提出的法律程序豁除於任何規定無須審訊而可取得簡易判決的法院規則的適用範圍之外，並使任何此等法律程序在適當情況下列入為短訟案(進行抗辯須根據前述法院規則取得許可者)而設的特別訴訟表中；

(e)授權官方無須法院許可而可在任何為強制執行任何權利而提出的法律程序中交付質詢
書，而有關權利在假若本條例不曾通過時本可透過英式告發的法律程序而強制執行的，然而，官方在未得法院許可時無權作第三次或其後的交付質詢書；

(f) 賦權在由官方提出或針對官方提出的法律程序中用委託方式錄取證據；

(g) 規定─

(i) 在官方為追討稅項、稅款或罰金而提出的法律程序中，任何人無權利用任何抵銷或反申索，或在由官方提出的其他法律程序中，任何人無權利用從有關退還稅款或罰金的權利或申索中產生的任何抵銷或反申索；
(ii) 官方在以律政司司長的名義被起訴時，未得法院許可，無權利用任何抵銷或反申索。 (由1997年第362號法律公告修訂)

法院規則可作出規定，規管任何根據與稅收有關的成文法則向最高法院提出的上訴，不論上訴是藉案件呈述或其他方式提出；而任何根據本款訂立的規則可廢除緊接本條例生效日期前有效並規管此等上訴的成文法則或規則，並可就由該等如此有效的成文法則或規則所規定的其他事宜作出規定。

[比照 1947 c. 44 s. 35 U.K.]

條：	31	待決法律程序		30/06/1997

除另有明文規定外，本條例的條文並不影響在本條例生效日期前已由官方提出或針對官方提出的法律程序；而就本條而言，如在本條例生效日期前已將一份有關事宜的申索陳述書送交存檔，並將其蓋印文本送達律政司，則須當作已針對官方提起法律程序。

[比照 1947 c. 44 s. 36 U.K.]

條：	32	財務條文		30/06/1997

(1)因本條例的通過而令官方根據香港的女皇陛下政府的權利而招致或令他人代其招致的任何開支，須由立法局撥出的款項支付。

(2) 因本條例的通過以致須付給官方的任何款項，須向庫務署繳付。 [比照 1947 c. 44 s. 37 U.K.]

條：	33	不再有效的法規		30/06/1997

本條例附表2所列的法規按該附表第3欄所指明的範圍不再在香港有效。
[比照 1947 c. 44 s. 39 U.K.]

條：	34	保留條文	L.N. 362 of 1997	01/07/1997

(1)本條例並不適用於由女皇陛下以私人身分提出或針對私人身分的女皇陛下提出的法律程序，亦無授權針對私人身分的女皇陛下提出侵權法律程序。

(2) 除本條例另有明文規定外，本條例─

(a)並不影響關於虜獲品營救的法律，亦不適用於任何屬於虜獲法庭司法管轄權範圍內的訟案或事宜的法律程序或任何刑事法律程序；亦

(b)並無授權就任何指稱官方須負的並非由英皇香港政府引起的法律責任而根據或按照本條例的條文針對官方提出法律程序，亦不影響前述就指稱官方須負的法律責任而針對官方提出的法律程序；亦

(c)並無授權就官方的人員或代理人的作為、疏忽或失責而根據或按照本條例的條文針對

官方提出法律程序，除非─

(i) 該人員已由官方直接或間接委任，並在關鍵時間就其官方人員職務而完全由香港的收入或經總督為施行本段而核證的其他款項獲得付款，或在關鍵時間擔任某職位，而總督已就該職位核證擔任該職位者通常會如此獲得付款；

(ii) 該代理人在關鍵時間是為政府行事或代表政府行事；亦

(d) 並不影響官方並非根據香港的女皇陛下政府的權利而提出的任何法律程序；亦

(e)並不使官方就其所僱用的獨立承辦商的作為或不作為而承擔大於官方假若為私人時所須就該等作為或不作為而承擔的法律責任；亦

(f) 並不影響關於官方受任何法規或成文法則約束的程序的任何證據規則或任何推定；亦

(g)並不影響官方要求會審的權利，亦不影響官方控制或以其他方式介入對其權利、財產或利益有影響的法律程序的權利；亦

(h)並不影響律政司司長、任何政府部門或作為官方人員的官方人員根據或按照任何其他

成文法則的條文提起法律程序的權利； (由1997年第362號法律公告修訂) 而在不損害以上條文的一般效力的原則下，就官方而言，除非是作為香港的女皇陛下政府，否則本條例第IV部並不適用。

政務司司長的證明書如─ (由1976年第226號法律公告修訂；由1997年第362號法律公告修訂)
(a) 證明任何指稱官方須負的法律責任並非就香港的女皇陛下政府而產生；

(b) 證明任何由官方提出的法律程序並非根據香港的女皇陛下政府的權利而提出，則為施行本條例，就如此證明的事宜而言屬不可推翻者。
凡任何財產憑藉任何獨立於官方的作為或意圖而實施的法律規定而歸屬官方，不得純粹因財產如此歸屬官方而致根據本條例官方須承擔任何侵權法律責任；但本款的條文並不影響官方根據本條例就官方或代表官方行事的人在事實上取得管有或控制或佔用有關財產後的任何期間而須負的法律責任。
本條例的運作並不限制法院在某些案件中批出履行義務令作為濟助的酌情決定權，但該等案件須為在本條例生效日期前法院本可批給此等濟助者，即使因本條例的條文而有其他和進一步的補救亦然。

[比照 1947 c. 44 s. 40 U.K.]

附表：	1	本條例廢去的法律程序		30/06/1997

[第10條]

1. (1) 拉丁式告發及英式告發。

(2) 提訊到庭答辯令狀、傳召到庭答辯令狀及評價令狀。
(3) 告知令狀。
(4) 就收回債款扣押令狀或去世債務人財產官方扣押令狀的爭論點的裁決而提出的法律程序。

2. (1) 根據《1864年海軍虜獲法令》*(1864 c.25 U.K.)第52條以權益呈請方式提出的法律程序。

(2) 以權利聲明方式針對女皇陛下提出的法律程序。

註：

* “《1864年海軍虜獲法令》”乃“Naval Prize Act 1864”之譯名。

附表：	2	不再在香港有效的法規		30/06/1997

[第33條]

會期及章次名稱或簡稱廢除範圍

1297 c. 18 U.K. 《國王租戶乃債務人》** 法令全部廢除 1785 c. 35 U.K. 《1785年皇室債務人法令》# 法令全部廢除 1817 c. 117 U.K.《1817年寬待債務人法令》+ 法令全部廢除 1842 c. 86 U.K 《1842年理財法院法令》@ 第9條

註：

**: “《國王租戶乃債務人》”乃“The King's Tenant his Debtor”之譯名。 # “《1785年皇室債務人法令》”乃“The Crown Debtors Act 1785”之譯名。; + “《1817年寬待債務人法令》”乃“The Extents in Aid Act 1817”之譯名。 @ “《1842年理財法院法令》”乃“The Exchequer Court Act 1842”之譯名。

Crown Proceedings Ordinance (Chapter 300), Hong Kong, China

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