What language is used in Hong Kong court?

Meanwhile, pursuant to section 3(1) of the Official Languages Ordinance, the English and Chinese languages are the official languages of Hong Kong for court proceedings.

Do they understand English trials heard by Chinese Jurors in the Hong Kong courtroom?

The only occasion on which all the jurors are heard speaking in English is when they take their jury oath or a rmation in English.

Does Hong Kong use Cantonese?

As the majority of the population in Hong Kong are descendants of migrants from China’s Canton Province, the vast majority speak standard Cantonese or other Yue Chinese varieties as a first language, with smaller numbers of speakers of Hakka Language or the Teochew dialect of Southern Min.

Do they still speak English in Hong Kong?

English is one of the official languages in Hong Kong, and is used widely in the Government, academic circles, business and the courts. All road and government signs are bilingual.

Is the hearing conducted in Cantonese or English?

Proceedings are mostly conducted in Cantonese before a Presiding Officer. Legal representation is not allowed. Any party aggrieved may appeal on a point of law to the Court of First Instance.

Why does HK speak Cantonese?

After the British acquired Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories from the Qing in 1841 (officially 1842) and 1898, large numbers of merchants and workers came to Hong Kong from the city of Canton, the main centre of Cantonese. Cantonese became the dominant spoken language in Hong Kong. The …

Is Hong Kong Cantonese different?

Hong Kong Cantonese is a dialect of the Cantonese language of the Sino-Tibetan family. It is the native and de facto standard language of Hong Kong. A similar dialect is also spoken in Macau.

Is Hong Kong law in English?

Hong Kong portal The law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has its foundation in the English common law system, inherited from being a former British colony and dependent territory.

What make up the High Court in Hong Kong?

Court of Appeal
The High Court is made up of the Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance. It has both appellate and original jurisdiction, i.e. it can both hear appeals sent to it and try cases first taken to it.

Is Hong Kong considered Cantonese?

Cantonese is the predominant Chinese variety spoken in Hong Kong and Macau. In these areas, public discourse takes place almost exclusively in Cantonese, making it the only variety of Chinese other than Mandarin to be used as an official language in the world.