香港民事诉讼制度改革之回顾与前瞻

The Past,Present and Future of the Reform of Civil Procedure Law in Hong Kong

香港的民事司法改革历时十年,彰显了民事司法理念的深度变迁,对民事司法制度的发展具有里程碑意义。新规则自2009年4月2日正式施行以来进展大致顺利,在克服诉讼拖延、促进和解、发展调解等方面取得了一定的成效,但改革终究不是一蹴而就的纸面化改造。在新制度与旧观念相互碰撞又各自发挥作用的时期,如欲推翻法律职业者乃至普通民众的思维定势,变革深埋于制度底层的文化样态,其中的困难同样是显而易见的。

The civil justice reform in Hong Kong lasted about ten years,which reflects the profound changes of civil justice ideas and is a milestone in the development of civil procedural system.The new rules have been enforced since February 2,2009,and generally operate smoothly.It is effective in reducing delay,facilitating settlement,developing mediation,among others.Nevertheless,the reform cannot be accomplished in an action.The new regimes and old conception may collide with each other.It must be difficult to remove the habitual thinking of lawyers and common people and to change the culture rooted in the old system.