Work review: Director of Public Prosecutions Grenville Cross releases the yearly review of the Prosecutions Division.

As we confront the menaces of terrorism, organised and serious crime, cyber crime, and the traditional modes of offending, our prosecutors will seek to perform at all times to maximum capacity and to the highest of standards.

That was the message from Director of Public Prosecutions Grenville Cross, releasing the Yearly Review of the Prosecutions Division.

"At the global level, prosecutors must help one another. That will be achieved through collaboration, training and the exchange of ideas and information," Mr Cross said.

"Global crime presents unprecedented yet similar challenges to prosecutors everywhere, and all must pull in the same direction."

Mr Cross said while the division has established international credentials, it must play its part in the years ahead in the combat of transnational and localised crime.

In 2002, the division approached its challenges as opportunities. Specialised teams for the prosecution of particular crimes were strengthened through training and redeployment.

The division's core business remained the effective prosecution of crime. Specialist teams of prosecutors were heavily engaged in vital areas, including corruption, computer crime, copyright crime, customs offences, narcotics, money laundering, commercial crime, triad and organised crime.

To ensure better service, a five-year strategic plan for the division was put in place.

Combating terrorism

Mr Cross said Hong Kong is committed to international efforts to combat terrorism.

Following the enactment in 2002 of the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Ordinance and the United Nations Sanctions (Afghanistan) Regulations, the division enhanced its capacity to provide appropriate advice to others in government, liaise with prosecutors elsewhere, and prosecute any cases of terrorism which might arise.

The division also appointed a Prosecution Policy Co-ordinator on Anti-Terrorism to provide advice, liaison and in-house expertise.

At the same time, the division restructured its Organised Crime Team to accommodate this new area of prosecutorial responsibility.

Our prosecutors help ensure Hong Kong is not used as a channel for terrorist finance. Hong Kong's new legislation gives effect to UNSCR 1373 and the recommendations to combat terrorists' assets.

Mr Cross added that the Asset Recovery Unit has now assumed direct responsibility for taking forward measures for the forfeiture of any terrorists' assets located in Hong Kong.

International co-operation

Throughout 2002 the division promoted co-operation with prosecutors worldwide, being both practical and innovative in this.

At both the international and regional levels, Hong Kong's prosecutors were in demand in other places as experts in their specialised portfolios.

Various jurisdictions sought their assistance in their training modules. Prosecutors contributed as well to global projects designed to combat serious crimes.

Ties with the Mainland and Macau

The division promoted contacts with legal personnel from various areas of the Mainland. Ideas and publications were exchanged, and the development of legal systems was examined.

Prosecutors from Hong Kong, the Mainland and Macau co-ordinated their activities within the International Association of Prosecutors. Different systems were critically considered in the interests of modernisation and more effective responses to crime.

"This policy of constructive engagement produced mutual understanding and respect which was good for the one country, two systems concept," Mr Cross said.

Five-year strategic plan

The division has devised a strategic plan for up to 2007.

The plan, which was both visionary and practical, requires:

* Provision of a professional, effective and focused system of public prosecutions;

* Promotion of public confidence by making prosecution policy and practice as understandable as possible; and,

* Pursuit of constructive liaison with our partners in the criminal justice system and with our counterparts in other jurisdictions.

"The strategic plan defines the values of our prosecutors. These include the notions of co-operation, impartiality, integrity, management excellence, professionalism, sensitivity, service and thoroughness," Mr Cross said.