摘要
香港法律年度开启典礼的历史源远流长,可追溯至二十世纪初期。开启典礼通常会在每年一月份的一个星期一举行,法官及司法人员、律政人员及法律执业者全体参与。每年法律年度开启典礼的仪式中,令牌员拿着令牌走在终审法院首席法官前头。主权移交之前,令牌的顶端是皇冠,象徵英国皇室的权力。1997年7月1日之后,中华人民共和国香港特别行政区的区徽取代了这个皇冠标志。令牌象徵终审法院首席法官的职权,也象徵着司法机构独立的、维护法治的制度。本刊节录2009年法律年度开启典礼终审法院首席法官、律政司司长、香港大律师公会主席及香港律师会会长之讲演。
The ceremonial opening has a long history dated back to the early years of the 20th century.It is usually held on a Monday in January each year and is attended by all Judges and Judicial Officers,Law Officers,legal practitioners and distinguished guests. The Opening Ceremony of 2009 Legal Year was held on 12 Jan,2009.After the inspection,the Chief Justice,the Secretary for Justice,the Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association and the President of the Law Society of Hong Kong delivered addresses respectively.The following are the citations of the speeches delivered by them.