Hong Kong Judiciary Urges Extended Sitting Hours Amid Rising Fraud and Money-Laundering Caseload

The Hong Kong judiciary has warned that protracted delays in criminal proceedings are likely to persist, driven by a sharp increase in fraud and money-laundering litigation. The Law Society has proposed extending court sitting hours into the evening to alleviate the growing burden.

According to a submission to the Legislative Council’s panel on administration of justice and legal services, the judiciary reported that the total caseload in 2025 amounted to approximately 537,000 cases—roughly four per cent above the five-year annual average.

As of July this year, the average wait time for cases in the High Court stood at 358 days, while District Court cases averaged 354 days—representing the longest delays across all judicial forums.

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