Prosecutions Division (Hong Kong)
Encyclopedia
The Prosecutions Division (刑事檢控科) of the Department of Justice
, is the public prosecution office in Hong Kong
. The Prosecutions Division is the largest in the Department, with about 125 lawyers, known as 'Public Prosecutors', and about 115 lay prosecutors, known as 'Court Prosecutors'. The role of the Division is to prosecute trials and appeals on behalf of Hong Kong
, to provide legal advice to law enforcement agencies upon their investigations, and generally to exercise on behalf of the Secretary for Justice
the discretion of whether or not to bring criminal proceedings in Hong Kong
. In addition, counsel in the Division provide advice and assistance to Government bureaux and departments
in relation to any criminal law aspects of proposed legislation
.
The Director of Public Prosecutions
("DPP") heads the Division as a Law Officer of the Department of Justice
. The current Director of Public Prosecutions
is Mr Grenville Cross
, SBS,SC (江樂士). Since 1997, he has pursued a policy of transparency, modernisation and internationalism in the area of public prosecutions. In 2001, Mr Cross led the Division into the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP), as its 75th organisational member. In 2004, Mr Cross hosted the 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the IAP, and in 2007 he hosted its 12th Annual Conference and General Meeting.
The DPP is responsible for directing the conduct of trials and appeals on behalf of Hong Kong
, providing legal advice to law enforcement agencies (such as Hong Kong Police, Custom
and ICAC
), exercising the discretion of whether to institute criminal proceedings, and providing advice to others in government on proposed changes to the criminal law.
The lawyers of the Prosecution Division in the former British Hong Kong
colonial administration were, before 1997, titled "Crown Counsel". After the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong, they were re-named "Government Counsel" (政府律師). In 2007, to highlight their constitutional independence, lawyers working in the Prosecutions Division adopted the alternative title of "Public Prosecutor" (檢控官).
Department of Justice (Hong Kong)
The Department of Justice is the department responsible for the laws of Hong Kong headed by the Secretary for Justice. Before 1997, the names of the department and the position was the Legal Department and Attorney General respectively....
, is the public prosecution office in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The Prosecutions Division is the largest in the Department, with about 125 lawyers, known as 'Public Prosecutors', and about 115 lay prosecutors, known as 'Court Prosecutors'. The role of the Division is to prosecute trials and appeals on behalf of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, to provide legal advice to law enforcement agencies upon their investigations, and generally to exercise on behalf of the Secretary for Justice
Secretary for Justice
The Secretary for Justice is a member of the Hong Kong Government responsible for prosecutions and legal matters. He or she heads the Department of Justice....
the discretion of whether or not to bring criminal proceedings in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. In addition, counsel in the Division provide advice and assistance to Government bureaux and departments
Ministry (government department)
A ministry is a specialised organisation responsible for a sector of government public administration, sometimes led by a minister or a senior public servant, that can have responsibility for one or more departments, agencies, bureaus, commissions or other smaller executive, advisory, managerial or...
in relation to any criminal law aspects of proposed legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
.
The Director of Public Prosecutions
Director of Public Prosecutions
The Director of Public Prosecutions is the officer charged with the prosecution of criminal offences in several criminal jurisdictions around the world...
("DPP") heads the Division as a Law Officer of the Department of Justice
Department of Justice (Hong Kong)
The Department of Justice is the department responsible for the laws of Hong Kong headed by the Secretary for Justice. Before 1997, the names of the department and the position was the Legal Department and Attorney General respectively....
. The current Director of Public Prosecutions
Director of Public Prosecutions
The Director of Public Prosecutions is the officer charged with the prosecution of criminal offences in several criminal jurisdictions around the world...
is Mr Grenville Cross
Grenville Cross
Ian Grenville Cross, SBS, QC, SC was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions of Hong Kong, on 15 October 1997, and held this post for 12 years, until 21 October 2009...
, SBS,SC (江樂士). Since 1997, he has pursued a policy of transparency, modernisation and internationalism in the area of public prosecutions. In 2001, Mr Cross led the Division into the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP), as its 75th organisational member. In 2004, Mr Cross hosted the 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the IAP, and in 2007 he hosted its 12th Annual Conference and General Meeting.
The DPP is responsible for directing the conduct of trials and appeals on behalf of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, providing legal advice to law enforcement agencies (such as Hong Kong Police, Custom
Customs
Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, transports, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country...
and ICAC
ICAC
ICAC may refer to:*Independent Commission Against Corruption**Independent Commission Against Corruption **Independent Commission Against Corruption *Indiana Collegiate Athletic Conference...
), exercising the discretion of whether to institute criminal proceedings, and providing advice to others in government on proposed changes to the criminal law.
The lawyers of the Prosecution Division in the former British Hong Kong
British Hong Kong
British Hong Kong refers to Hong Kong as a Crown colony and later, a British dependent territory under British administration from 1841 to 1997.- Colonial establishment :...
colonial administration were, before 1997, titled "Crown Counsel". After the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong, they were re-named "Government Counsel" (政府律師). In 2007, to highlight their constitutional independence, lawyers working in the Prosecutions Division adopted the alternative title of "Public Prosecutor" (檢控官).