Magistrates' court (Hong Kong)

Magistrates' courts
Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court
Location	Hong Kong
Authorized by	Hong Kong Basic Law, Magistrates Ordinance (Cap. 227)
Appeals to	Court of First Instance of the High Court; further appeal to the Court of Final Appeal in limited circumstance
Website	Official website
Chief Magistrate
Currently	Mr Victor SO Wai-tak

This article is part of the series: Courts of Hong Kong
Law of Hong Kong
Administration Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal Judiciary of Hong Kong Judiciary Administrators
Civil courts Court of Final Appeal High Court Court of Appeal Court of First Instance District Court Special Courts and Tribunals The Coroner’s Court The Lands Tribunal The Labour Tribunal The Small Claims Tribunal The Obscene Articles Tribunal
Criminal courts Court of Final Appeal High Court Court of Appeal Court of First Instance District Court Magistrates' courts
Criminal prosecution Secretary for Justice Director of Public Prosecutions Prosecutions Division of the Department of Justice
Legal profession Hong Kong Bar Association Barrister Law Society of Hong Kong Solicitor
v t e

Magistrates' courts in Hong Kong have criminal jurisdiction over a wide range of offenses, and in general these offenses must only constitute two years' imprisonment or a fine of HK$100,000; in certain circumstances, sentences of three years may be imposed. All criminal proceedings must begin in the magistrates' courts; the Secretary for Justice may transfer cases to either the District Court or the Court of First Instance depending on the seriousness of the crime.^[1]

All judges and magistrates must have qualified as legal practitioners either in Hong Kong or in another common law jurisdiction and have had substantial professional experience.