The Western Magistrates' Courts will merge with the Eastern Magistrates' Courts beginning in January, saving recurring costs of about $5.7 million.

The Western Magistrates' Courts will have served the community for 18 years on the day they close, January 2.

The Eastern Magistrates' Courts and other courts will absorb all court proceedings that the Western Magistrates' Courts now handle.

The three Magistrates currently working in the Western Magistrates' Courts will be deployed to other Magistrates' Courts including the Eastern Magistrates' Courts. Supporting staff will also be re-deployed to other Magistrates' Courts or offices of the Judiciary.

The waiting time in the Eastern Magistrates' Courts will inevitably be longer, but the Judiciary will try its best to keep it below three months. The merger is part of the Judiciary's efforts to achieve efficiency savings demanded on the whole public sector - but the quality of justice will be maintained.

N Kowloon courts to close, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun to merge

The Judiciary also plans to close down the North Kowloon Magistrates' Courts by the end of 2004 and to merge the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts with the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts in 2005. Detailed arrangements have yet to be made.

The alternative use of the vacated Western Magistrates' Courts is being discussed with the Government.