A Longlinear Analysis of Legal Representation Statistics on Hearings of Civil Cases in the District Court of Hong Kong

AnalysisBefore 1 September 2000, the District Court's civil jurisdiction was limited to claims of up to HK$120,000. From 1 September 2000, the District Court's civil jurisdiction was extended to claims of up to HK$600,000. With effect from 1 December 2003, the civil jurisdiction of the District Court was further increased from HK$600,000 to HK$1 million. The main objective of this paper is to assess the impact of the enlargement of the District Court's jurisdiction on the usage rates of barristers in the conduct of civil cases in the District Court. Having performed a loglinear analysis of the legal representation statistics on the hearings for civil claims in the Hong Kong District Court over a two-year period from 1 September 1999 to 31 August 2001, the authors discovered, inter alia, that the enlargement of the District Court's jurisdiction has resulted in less use of barristers (relative to the use of solicitors) when all other factors are being controlled.published_or_final_versio

An actuarial approach to assessing personal injury compensations in Singapore: Theory and practice

In Singapore personal injury litigations, successful claimants usually receive their compensations as a lump sum. The main advantage of a lump sum payment is that the proceedings can be concluded with a 'clean break' between the parties. The lump sum is a result of discounting the future pecuniary values into a single present-day amount, considering the time value of money and the claimant's mortality. Conventionally, lump sum awards are determined by making reference to a spread of amounts in comparable cases. However, a fairer method would be one that involves input from not only lawyers but also other experts including economists and actuaries. This study, which is carried out by an inter-professional working group, provides a set of actuarially computed tables for use in personal injury settlements in Singapore. The calculations involve a consideration of recent advancements in stochastic mortality modeling and an empirical study on the econometrics of real returns on risk-free assets in Singapore. We then present two recent personal injury cases in Singapore, aiming at helping the Singapore legal profession understand and use the economic principles with actuarial tables, and educating economists and actuaries the legal concerns and concepts in personal injury cases. © 2010 World Scientific Publishing Company.postprin

Using Actuarial Evidence in Singapore and Hong Kong: A Sequel to “Lai Wee Lian Revisited”

Following the English common law, successful claimants in personal injury and clinical negligence cases in Singapore and Hong Kong usually receive their compensations as a lump sum. The amount in respect of future expenses and loss of future earning is a result of discounting the future pecuniary values into a single present-day amount, considering inflation, the time value of money and the claimant’s mortality. Using actuarial tables based on projections of the mortality rate of the general population may be considered as an alternative method in converting the future loss of earnings and future expenses into a lump sum reflecting its present value. For this purpose, a set of actuarial tables are constructed in this article. Various options for determining the appropriate discount rate(s) are explored in the context of the statistical and economic data of Singapore and Hong Kong.published_or_final_versio

Extending the depth of field in a compound-eye imaging system with super-resolution reconstruction

Optical device miniaturization is highly desirable in many applications. Direct down-scaling of traditional imaging system is one approach, but the extent to which it can be minimized is limited by the effect of diffraction. Compound-eye imaging system, which utilizes multiple microlenses in image capture is a promising alternative. In this paper, we explore the possibility of an incorporation of phase masks in such a system to extend the depth of field. Simulation experiments are conducted to verify the feasibility of the system. © 2006 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Icteric flare of chronic hepatitis B in a 95-year old patient

A 95-year old gentleman developed fatal icteric flare of chronic hepatitis B despite lamivudine treatment. This article highlights the atypical presentations of chronic hepatitis B in elderly patient and the need to consider this possibility for acute fulminant hepatitis in endemic areas.published_or_final_versio

The use of variable pulse width frequency double Neodymium: YAG 532 nm laser in the treatment of port wine stain in Chinese

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Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in the Chinese population

Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is a well-recognised major health problem in the West. There is a deep-rooted belief among clinicians that deep vein thrombosis is rare in Asians, particularly in the Chinese population. However, it appears that the incidence of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is increasing in Chinese patients. Prophylaxis reduces the incidence of venous thrombosis by 66% and of pulmonary embolism by 50%Ը? prophylaxis should therefore be considered for Chinese patients who have a high risk of developing postoperative deep vein thrombosis. This report reviews the current literature on this subject.published_or_final_versio

Random control study looking at the use of 1320 nm Nd:YAG laser and intense pulsed light source for non-ablative skin rejuvenation in Chinese

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Actuarial Assessment of Damages in Personal Injury Litigation: The Hong Kong Position and The Comparative International Aspects

Conventionally, the Hong Kong Courts follow English authorities in choosing multipliers in personal injury litigation, Most judges select the multiplier by reference to a spread of multipliers in comparable English and Hong Kong cases, The House of Lords deviated from this approach recently in Wells v Wells [1999] AC 345. It approved actuarial evidence as the primary method of assessing future pecuniary loss. The actuarial tables, known as the 'Ogden Tables', issued by the British Government Actuary's Department should be regarded as the starting point for selection of the appropriate multipliers in England, Although in theory the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are not bound by this House of Lord decision, it is anticipated that the conventional approach to choosing multipliers in Hong Kong will be hotly contested. This article attempts to analyse the legal and practical implications of Wells v Wells in Hong Kong, and surveys the modern trend of using actuarial evidence in personal injury litigation in other major jurisdictions.published_or_final_versio

Actuarial assessment of damages in personal injury litigation in Hong Kong: Chan Pui Ki (an infant) v. Leung On

Case note: Actuarial assessment of damages in personal injury litigation in Hong Kong: Chan Pui Ki (an infant) v Leung On. When assessing future pecuniary loss in personal injury litigation, courts often use the multiplicand/multiplier approach. The objective is to calculate a lump sum amount to compensate the plaintiff for future loss of earnings and to cover a stream of future expenses.published_or_final_versio