Louis Ng on Courts (Civil and Criminal Justice) Reform Bill

The courts have shown "remarkable resilience" in the pandemic, adapting to ensure that the judicial system remains open to users and that justice is both done and seen to be done, said MP Louis Ng. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Sep 13), he sought clarifications on the courts' new powers to order parties to attempt amicable resolutions. These include ways to assess if cases are suitable and the consequences of non-compliance with court orders. He also raised concerns with the risks of court proceedings via video link, such as unauthorised recordings, witness coaching and poor Internet connection affecting the quality of the evidence presented. He asked if the courts will consider implementing a protocol to standardise the way video link hearings are conducted.