陳澤銘：不滿當前規則也要通過法律程序推動改革

當我們談及香港的競爭優勢時，法治總是最先被提及的因素之一。要保持香港的長期繁榮和穩定，除了要有健全的法律機構、不受任何干擾的檢察權和獨立的司法機構外，我們還需要公眾遵守法律，增強對法治概念的認可和應用。但本地智庫智經研究中心在2019年12月進行的一項名為「市民對香港法治狀況意見調查」的研究表明，近年來香港社會缺乏法治教育，並呼籲政府有必要加強市民的法治教育。

今期節目邀請到法治研究中心主任陳澤銘先生作為節目嘉賓，一起來探討有關香港法治的意義和重要性。

主持︰When we talk about the competitive advantages of HK, the rule of law is always among the firsts to be mentioned. To maintain HK's long-term prosperity and stability, in addition to having robust legal institutions, prosecution power free from any interference and independent judiciary, we need the public to abide by the law. And in this regard, it is important for the public to recognize the rule of law and its application.

當我們談及香港的競爭優勢時，法治總是最先被提及的幾個特質之一。為了保持香港的長期繁榮和穩定，除了擁有健全的法律機構、不受任何干擾的檢察權，以及獨立的司法機構之外，我們還需要公眾遵守法律。說到這方面，重要的是公眾要認識到法治的概念及廣泛應用。

However, a recent study entitled "Survey on public perception towards the rule of law in HK" conducted in Dec, 2019 by a local think tank, suggested that the current society lacks education on the rule of law and urged the need to strengthen education on the rule of law, and recommended that all stakeholders should reflect on the situation and engage in a meaningful dialogue. Simply put, there is a need to strengthen proper education on the rule of law, and to engage stakeholders for HK to achieve greater heights.

然而，近年一個由本地智庫在2019年12月開展、題為「市民對香港法治狀況意見調查」的研究表明，目前社會缺乏法治教育，呼籲加強相關教育，並建議所有持份者反思這一情況，並開展有意義的對話來改善。簡而言之，有必要加強法治教育，並讓持份者參與進來，讓香港再創新高。

In these circumstances, it is our great honor to invite Mr. Chan Chak-Ming, President of the Law Society of HK and Head of the Center for the Rule of Law, to join our program to discuss and promote the meaning and the importance of the rule of law in HK.

基於這種情況，我們非常榮幸地邀請到香港律師會會長及法治研究中心主任陳澤銘先生參加我們的節目，來探討和宣傳香港法治的意義和重要性。

It's widely accepted that the rule of law is an essential attribute of a modern society , and it encompasses diverse elements  and fundamental principles . We also take pride in having a very strong rule of law,  which is the cornerstone of the HK's success . Could you kindly expound on the concept of rule of law to our audience? Or to put alternatively, what is the essence of the rule law in HK?

人們普遍認為，法治是現代社會的一個基本特質，它包括各種要素和一些基本原則，我們也為擁有非常強力的法治體系而感到自豪，這是香港成功的基石。請您向我們的聽眾解釋一下法治的概念，或者換句話說，香港法治的精髓是什麼？

嘉賓︰This is a very good question and very topical . The problem of the concept of the rule of law, there's no universal definition for this term. Different legal academics , some other judges , all have different interpretation . But to me, at least personally, I think  there are a number of important common elements.

這是一個非常好的熱點問題 ，「法治概念」這個詞，並沒有一個普遍的定義，不同的法律學者和法官有不同的解釋，但至少我個人認為，是有一些重要的共同要素的。

Number one is we all said that , equality before law . It doesn't matter your status, your gender, your background, you and the government as well  will be subject to the same piece of legislation, the same set of rules . So equality to me is fundamental, in terms of the concept of the rule of law.

第一，就是我們所說的法律面前人人平等。不管你的身份、性別或是背景，無論是個人還是政府，都會受到同一套法律規則的約束。所以對我來說，就法治的概念而言，這個平等性是根本的。

The second most important element is judicial independence. Judges are able to decide cases independently  without any interferences. There are other different attributes or different elements . But to me, these are the two most essential ones . So follow on these two elements, the third element will be , because the legal system is fair, so as citizens and government , we should obey the law. We should follow the established rules and regulations. Even if you are not satisfied with the current rules, regime, system, then you push for a reform through legal processes.

第二個最重要的要素是司法獨立，即法官能夠獨立判決案件，不受任何干擾。當然還有其他不同的特質或要素，但對我來說，這是最重要的兩個要素。

在這兩個要素之後，第三個自然就是因為法律制度是公平的，所以不論是居民或是政府，我們都要遵守法律，我們應該遵循既定的規則和條例，就算你不滿意當前的規則、制度、體系，也要通過法律程序推動改革。

So equality, judicial independence  will lead to obedience of the existing laws and regulations . To me, that's the fundamental of the elements of the rule of law .

因此，平等性和司法獨立將引導（人們）遵守現有法律法規，對我來說，這就是法治的基本要素。

◆ 點新聞英文節目《EyE on U 容來熙往》，由立法會議員容海恩及梁熙主持，邀請香港社會各界包括政界、商界及專業人士，分享及討論社會熱話。