'New Councils Will Reflect True Spirit Of Basic Law'

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam on Friday said planned changes to the way district council seats are filled will reflect the "true spirit" of the Basic Law.

Lam said the law states that setting up district organisations is not a must, and such bodies are not organs of political power, unlike the Legislative Council.

He said it is very important to bear in mind that Article 97 of the Basic Law spells out that the two functions of district organisations are to advise the government on matters connected to district administration, and to provide services, such as those related to culture and recreation.

"I can reassure you that when we draft the proposed amendments, we will certainly bear the important principles highlighted in mind, to ensure that these legislative provisions will reflect the true spirit and intention of Article 97," he told reporters after attending an event.

Lam also defended a plan to make observers of remote court hearings register in advance, dismissing concerns that this could violate the open court principle.

"Although witnesses or even counsels may not be physically present in court, the trial is still conducted openly in a sense that people can still hear witnesses getting evidence, and counsels making submissions. So it's entirely consistent with important principles, for example open justice, and other important principles," he said.

The judiciary is hoping to adopt remote hearings as soon as next year for various criminal proceedings.