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Yearly Review of the Prosecutions Division 2008

The Yearly Review of the Prosecutions Division 2008 was released on 23 April 2009. This is the eleventh Yearly Review of the Prosecutions Division since 1997. Through this, we describe the activities of a prosecution service which placed a premium upon reform throughout 2008, both as a means of modernising itself and of improving the quality of criminal justice. Our core business was the effective prosecution of crime, and close liaison was maintained with our criminal justice partners and prosecutors elsewhere in the development of anti-crime strategies. We applied prosecution policy fairly and firmly in the best interests of the community we serve.

In his statement at the media briefing held on 23 April 2009, Mr I Grenville Cross, SC, Director of Public Prosecutions, said:-

Today we report to the public upon the work of the Prosecutions Division of the Department of Justice in 2008, which was an eventful year for our prosecutors. We strengthened our capacity to prosecute all types of crime, and prosecutions were fairly and effectively conducted. The quality of justice available to victims and witnesses was enhanced, and the interests of those accused of crime were safeguarded. Close collaboration with local law enforcers was pursued, and liaison with prosecutors elsewhere yielded positive results. Criminal justice reform was accorded a high priority, and in key areas our processes were modernised. Transparency was embraced, and we engaged with the community in all areas.

Topics include:

Director of Public Prosecutions

• Director's Overview

A Modern Prosecution Service

• Prosecution Policy in 2008
• Criminal Justice Initiatives
• Strategic Development Programme 2007-2012
• Code for Proseuctors
• Director’s Advisory Group
• Standing Committee on Disclosure
• International Association of Prosecutors

Recent Developments and the Prosecution of Crime

• Animal Welfare
• Asset Recovery
• Basic Law and Bill of Rights
• Commercial Crime
• Copyright Crime
• Coronial Inquiries
• Corruption
• Court Specialists
• Criminal Appeals
• Customs and Excise
• Domestic Violence
• Environmental Protection
• Food and Environmental Hygiene
• Gambling
• Immigration
• Inland Revenue
• Judicial Review
• Labour and Occupational Safety
• Narcotics
• Obscene Articles and Child Pornography
• Social Welfare
• Technology Crime
• Terrorism
• Triad and Organized Crime
• Trial Preparation
• Victims of Crime and Vulnerable Witnesses

At the Courts

• Major and Interesting Cases

Organization and Structure

• Operation of the Division
• People in Prosecutions
• Court Prosecutors
• Para-legal and Administrative Support Staff
• The Administration Unit

Prosecutorial Work

• Performance Pledges
• Conviction Rates
• Advices, Trials and Appeals : Caseload, Facts and Figures
• Bilingualism
• Briefing Out Cases

Contacts with Others

• Contacts with the Community
• Contacts with the Mainland and Macao
• Contacts with Visitors
• International Events

Career Development

• Guest Speaker Programme
• Training and Continuing Legal Education

Prosecutors in Profile

• Achievements in 2008
• Out of Court

Conclusion : Moving Forward

Appendices

Copies of the Yearly Review can be obtained from the Reception Counter of the Prosecutions Division on 5/F, High Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.