The year 2005 was a significant one for the Prosecutions Division. Throughout 2005, the means to combat crime more effectively were subject to ongoing review. Measures were adopted to modernise our operations, and to avoid the possibility of miscarriages of justice.

Our policy of transparency promoted public understanding of our work, and helped to secure our position. A positive role was played in the development of criminal justice through our own initiatives and by constructive liaison with others.

The Strategic Plan of the Prosecutions Division 2002-2007 was introduced in 2002. Throughout its three years of operation, it has ensured that in all they do prosecutors apply modern thinking, deploy latest techniques and achieve professionalism. The strategic plan recognises the importance of international co-operation in the combat of crime.

Through the application of the strategic plan, prosecutors committed themselves in 2005 to:

* working with the International Association of Prosecutors;

* liaising with the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation;

* assisting global initiatives to enhance criminal justice;

* promoting contacts, exchanging ideas and sharing experiences; and

* providing speakers, panelists and facilitators at the international level.

Article 63 of the Basic Law provides that the Department of Justice shall control prosecutions, free from any interference. The duty of the prosecutor is to take the decisions he believes to be right, regardless of criticism, actual or potential.

Throughout 2005, the Division operated within the parameters of its published prosecution guidelines, and determined where the interests of justice lay in each case. Where possible, prosecution was used as an instrument of last resort. Alternatives to prosecution were pursued where appropriate.

Prosecution policy was applied in a manner which was fair, open and just. In all they did, prosecutors represented the public interest. Through its policy of transparency, the Division reached out in 2005 to the community it served, and sought its trust.

Prosecutors recognised that their position had to be grounded in public confidence, and that decisions must be justifiable. Equality of treatment lay at the heart of prosecution policy.

In 2005, prosecutors pursued 222,876 prosecutions, and gave 14,707 legal advices. Allegations of criminal misconduct were scrupulously examined by prosecutors, who recognised that no suspect should be prosecuted unless there was at least a reasonable prospect of conviction.

Mere suspicion fell well short of the required standard. Whenever their position was challenged, prosecutors stood firmly by the decisions they believed to be right.

In 2005, the Prosecutions Division continued to develop the quality of criminal justice available to the community. In order to reshape attitudes, practice and culture among the law-enforcement agencies in the interests of enhanced criminal justice, prosecutors conducted seminars for frontline enforcement personnel.

These were designed to heighten awareness of potential problems in the course of investigation, to enhance standards of case preparation and to reduce the scope for impropriety. Specific initiatives to have been examined by prosecutors included:

* improved procedures for the disclosure of unused material;

* better arrangements for the handling of informers;

* revised sentencing guidelines for serious offences;

* preservation of the anonymity of blackmail victims;

* greater consistency in the approach to the charging of aged suspects;

* enhanced priority for vulnerable witnesses cases;

* guidance on the use of search warrants on law premises; and

* improved co-ordination over suspects charged separately by different agencies.

Prosecutors and police also reached consensus over the retention of case exhibits for at least 20 years after convicted cases conclude. This will facilitate reviews of the safety of convictions in light of advances in forensic science. On the advice of prosecutors, police will keep exhibits in serious criminal cases, such as homicide and rape, for at least 20 years.

Every accused has the right to a fair trial. This requires the prosecution to observe its disclosure obligations. The general duty of the prosecution is to disclose to the defence the evidence it proposes to rely upon at trial. Also disclosable is relevant material which might undermine the prosecution case or advance the defence case. The issue of the ambit of the duty of disclosure has proved problematic for prosecutors in Hong Kong, as well as elsewhere.

The Standing Committee on Disclosure was established by the Prosecutions Division in 2004. Its mandate is to keep the disclosure arrangements of the Division under periodic review. In 2005, the Standing Committee advised the Division on:

* treatment of intercepted material;

* use of special advocates;

* material possessed by third parties;

* crime and legal professional privilege;

* public interest immunity;

* review of disclosure arrangements used by the Police, the ICAC and the Customs & Excise Department;

* specially-tailored guidelines on disclosure for prosecuting departments;

* increased emphasis on disclosure requirements in training courses.

Throughout 2005, the standing committee ensured the Division's disclosure procedures remained modern and just, and attuned to international norms.

Throughout 2005, the Prosecutions Division played a full part in the affairs of the International Association of Prosecutors, which it joined in 2001 as an organisational member. The IAP promotes the effective, fair and impartial prosecution of criminal offences, and encourages liaison among world prosecutors. In 2005, we co-operated closely with the IAP to enhance our capacity to counter transnational crime.

In August 2005, the Prosecutions Division was awarded the Certificate of Merit of the IAP, to recognise its contribution to the work and initiatives of the IAP. This was a welcome recognition of the status now enjoyed by the Division at the international level. It emphasised our position as a world-class prosecuting authority.

We are also pleased to announce today that following a bid submitted in early 2005, the Division has been selected to host the 12th Annual Conference & General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors in 2007. This is a great honour for all of our prosecutors, and we have accepted the selection.

In consequence, the Annual Conference of the IAP will be held in Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 16 to 20, 2007. It will be attended by 500 prosecutors from more than 120 countries, representing every region of the world.

Throughout 2005, the Division pursued its policy of constructive engagement with  prosecutors and legal officials in other parts of China. In exchanges with the counterparts  from the Mainland and Macau, prosecutors discussed the combat of corruption, banking and commercial crime, forensic examination systems, sentencing of offenders, technology crime, trial by jury, human rights and the reform of criminal justice.

We briefed 11 visiting delegations from elsewhere in China on the operation of our legal system. In turn, our prosecutors visited justice officials in Qingdao and Shanghai under the Legal Services Co-operation Agreements.

In 2005, the prosecution services of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau supported one another in international fora. These included the China-ASEAN Prosecutors General Conference, in Bangkok, the Asia-Europe Prosecutors General Conference, in Shenzhen, and the Annual Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors, in Copenhagen.

When the Division launched its bid to host the Annual Conference & General Meeting of the IAP in Hong Kong, in 2007, it was supported by its sister services from elsewhere in China. Such co-operation reflected the levels of understanding at the practical level which now exist among the prosecutors of China.

The Prosecutions Division's teams of specialist prosecutors confronted various crimes in 2005. These included:

* Commercial Crime: In 2005, there were 63 serious fraud cases investigated - each such case involved losses of at least $5 million - and 18 people were prosecuted for serious fraud offences. Reported losses in serious fraud complaints amounted in 2005 to $3.29 billion.

* Copyright crime: In 2005, 694 cases were prosecuted involving criminal violations of the Copyright Ordinance, and 522 people were imprisoned. Our Copyright Crime Team provided 157 advices to law enforcers.

* Corruption: In 2005, there were 3,685 corruption reports to the ICAC. We prosecuted 356 people for corruption and related offences, and provided 714 advices to the ICAC. Calculated on the number of cases, we secured convictions in 81% of corruption cases.

* Customs offences: In 2005, our prosecutors advised the Customs & Excise Department on offences involving smuggling, licensing breaches, origin frauds and excise duty evasion. We gave 765 advices to Customs and prosecuted 1,246 smuggling cases, which resulted in the convictions of 895 people and 360 companies.

* Environmental protection: In 2005, our prosecutors advised the Environmental Protection Department on offences involving pollution, noise, waste disposal, dumping at sea and the ozone layer. We prosecuted 297 cases involving violations of environmental laws. Fines imposed upon offenders by the courts totalled $2,698,900.

* Immigration offences: In 2005, our prosecutors advised the Immigration Department on offences involving false travel documents, making false representations to immigration personnel, possession of forged travel documents, breach of condition of stay and employment of persons not lawfully employable. We gave 265 advices to the Immigration Department, and prosecuted 18,369 people for immigration law offences, resulting in 18,214 people convicted.

* Labour and occupational safety: In 2005, our prosecutors advised the Labour Department on offences involving occupational safety, non-payment of wages, anti-union activity and denial of workers' rights. The Labour Team gave 415 advices to the Labour Department, and prosecuted 4,695 labour cases, resulting in 4,466 convictions.

* Money laundering: In 2005, 57 people were prosecuted for money laundering offences under the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance, and $18.11 million of crime proceeds was confiscated. A further $276.11 million was restrained pending court proceedings.

* Narcotics: In 2005, we prosecuted manufacturers, distributors and possessors of dangerous drugs. In total, we prosecuted 518 people in the Court of First Instance and the District Court for the more serious narcotics offences of importing, manufacturing or distributing dangerous drugs. A further 3,621 people were prosecuted for unlawful possession of dangerous drugs.

* Obscene articles and child pornography: In 2005, our prosecutors advised the Television & Entertainment Licensing Authority on cases arising under the Control of Obscene & Indecent Articles Ordinance. TELA referred 746 articles to the Obscene Articles Tribunal for classification. Of these, 511 articles were classified as obscene, and 180 as indecent. These positive classifications resulted in 206 prosecutions.

* Technology crime: In 2005, there were 667 reported cases of technology crime. We prosecuted 17 cases of technology crime, and 15 people were convicted. Our Computer Crime Team provided 41 advices to law enforcers.

* Triad and organised crime: In 2005, we prosecuted 560 people for triad society offences. Prosecutors made 19 applications for enhanced sentences for those convicted of offences under the Organised & Serious Crimes Ordinance.

In 2005, there were 222,876 new prosecutions in the courts, as compared to 232,081 in 2004. In 2005, 14,707 advices were given in criminal cases, as compared to 16,034 advices in 2004.

In 2005, Government Counsel attended 1,700 court days in the Court of First Instance. That compared with 1,276 court days in 2004. In the District Court, the figures for 2005 and 2004, were, respectively, 866 and 965 court days. In the Magistrates Court, the figures for 2005 and 2004 were, respectively, 591 and 416 court days.

Our Court Prosecutors prosecuted a total of 188,306 cases in 2005 in the Magistrates Courts, involving 13,704.5 court days. That compared with 192,163 cases in 2004, involving 13,743 court days.

In 2005, conviction rates in Magistrates Court were 73.5%, compared with 77.3% in 2004.  In District Court, the rate was 87.5% compared with 90.1% a year earlier. In the Court of First Instance, the rate rose to 90.4% from 89.1%.

The Court of Appeal determined 601 appeals in 2005, down from 692 in 2004. Of these, 241 (40.1%) were dismissed, compared with 254 (36.7%) a year earlier. Another 111 (18.5%) were allowed in 2005, a higher percentage than 2004's 115 (16.6%), while 249 (41.4%) appeals were abandoned in 2005, compared with 323 (46.7%) in 2004.               

Of the 1,154 Magistracy appeals concluded in 2005, 579 (50.2%) were dismissed, 200 (17.3%) were allowed, and 375 (32.5%) were abandoned. This compares with 1,314 cases it concluded in 2004 in which 596 (45.4%) were dismissed, 270 (20.5%) allowed and 448 (34.1%) abandoned.

The effective conduct of criminal cases in the Court of Final Appeal remained a priority in 2005. The number of cases processed and conducted from 1997 to 2005 far exceeded the number that proceeded to the Privy Council prior to reunification.

* From January 1989 to June 1997, there were 106 criminal cases from Hong Kong to the Privy Council.

* Between July, 1997, and December, 2005, 708 CFA and CFA-related criminal cases were dealt with - an increase of 567.9%.

In 2005, numerous cases were briefed out to private lawyers to prosecute on our behalf. This is an arrangement which facilitates the operation of the Division, and contributes to the development of a legal profession which is experienced and balanced in its understanding of public prosecutions.

The briefing out statistics were:

* Court of First Instance: 32 cases were briefed out, accounting for 458 court days. This may be compared with 434 cases prosecuted by Government Counsel, and accounting for 1,700 court days. The percentage of cases briefed out to private lawyers was 6.9%, and 21.2% of court days;

* District Court: 595 cases were briefed out, accounting for 2,725 court days. This may be compared with 964 cases prosecuted by Government Counsel, and accounting for 866 court days. The percentage of cases briefed out to private lawyers was 38.2%, and 75.9% of court days;

* Magistrates Court: 298 cases were briefed out, accounting for 698 court days. This may be compared with 320 cases prosecuted by Government Counsel, and accounting for 591 court days. The percentage of cases briefed out to private lawyers was 48.2%, and 54.2% of court days.

In total, 35% of cases and 55.1% of court days were briefed out in 2005, compared to 31.9% of cases, and 56.3% of court days, in 2004.

In 2005, our court prosecutors continued to promote high levels of criminal justice in the Magistrates Courts. They conducted the bulk of the cases tried in the courts of Hong Kong, and facilitated the efficient processing of cases at the summary level.

In all areas, their contribution was excellent. I pay tribute to this fine corps of men and women for their achievements and for their unswerving dedication to the ends of justice, in what are often challenging circumstances.

Of the 98 court prosecutors in practice in 2005, 45 held legal qualifications. Whereas nine were admitted as barristers, a further six had obtained their postgraduate certificates in law. A further 30 had law degrees, while 34 others were holders of degrees in other disciplines. At the end of 2005, four Court Prosecutors were studying for law degrees.

The average cost per court day of prosecutions conducted by a court prosecutor of $2,511 compares favourably with the fees for counsel prosecuting on general fiat of $5,430 per court day.

If all the 13,704.5 court days conducted by court prosecutors in 2005 were to be briefed out to private counsel, it would cost about $74.4 million, which is 116.2%, or $40 million, more than the $34.4 million cost of the court prosecutors. Not only do our court prosecutors provide a first-class service, they do so at a cost which is reasonable, which is a welcome bonus.

Throughout 2005, we continued to promote the use of the Chinese language in criminal proceedings. Of our 103 Government counsel, 86 were bilingual in 2005, while all 98 of our court prosecutors were proficient in Chinese and English.

We sent prosecutors to Zhongshan University for specialist training to develop their capacity to make legal submissions to courts in Chinese. We organised one Chinese-language workshop to develop the capacity of bilingual prosecutors to conduct cases in Chinese.

The Glossary of Legal Terms for Criminal Proceedings, which was introduced in 1998, now contains 1,564 terms. Our Bilingual Court Documents Unit translated 6,882 pages of English documents into Chinese, and 239 Chinese documents into English.

Through professionalism and creativity, prosecutors advance the rule of law. They guide investigators, assist the courts and protect the interests of victims and suspects. Operating at the heart of the legal system, the prosecutor is uniquely placed to deliver justice. Fairness is the end, as well as the means.

The globalisation of crime necessitates liaison among prosecutors. Through co-operation comes mutual understanding, as well as smoother procedures and the building of trust. Effective techniques to prosecute crime can only develop if prosecutors adequately support one another and co-ordinate their activities. Mutual legal assistance is vital.

In conclusion, I thank former Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung for the unwavering support which she gave to the Division in all it did not only in 2005, but ever since reunification. She shared our vision of a prosecution service which is modern, transparent and internationalist, and encouraged our initiatives, both locally and at the international level. She was a remarkable Secretary, and a great lady.

I equally welcome our new Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung. I thank him for all of his guidance since his appointment in October 2005. It has become apparent to me in a short time that the Secretary endorses our commitment to professionalism in the conduct of public prosecutions, to effectiveness in the combat of crime and to co-operation with our counterparts in other places in the interests of better law enforcement.

Director of Public Prosecutions Grenville Cross gave this statement at the media session to release the Yearly Review of the Prosecutions Division 2005.