More than 170 local and overseas legal professionals and judiciary members today attended the Criminal Law Conference 2012 to discuss how to enhance the criminal justice system in Hong Kong.

Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen said at the conference the rule of law and judicial independence are core values for Hong Kong.

"The enhancement of the administration of criminal justice is an ongoing commitment. The Department of Justice is committed to ensure that Hong Kong's criminal justice system will develop appropriately to meet the needs of our ever changing society," Mr Yuen said.

He said the department aims to maintain a system that is fair and effective, that strikes the right balance between the protection of human rights and the need to protect the community from criminal activities.

He said under the Basic Law, Hong Kong remains a common law jurisdiction, and enjoys independent judicial power including that of final adjudication. Rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents and other individuals are safeguarded under the Basic Law, the Bill of Rights Ordinance and other relevant legislation.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Kevin Zervos said Hong Kong is a modern international city with an established and respected legal system based on the common law. The public expects its criminal justice system to be transparent, fair and efficient.

The conference is organised by the department’s prosecutions division to address key topics and areas for reform by examining the overall interests of Hong Kong’s criminal justice system.

It covered four major topics, namely prompt, efficient and fair criminal justice; reforming the criminal law and criminal statutes; achieving justice through the appeal process, and safeguarding a fair prosecution and a fair trial.