Apology Ordinance
Ord. No. 12 of 2017
8. Admissibility of evidence of apology
(1) Evidence of an apology made by a person in connection with a matter is not admissible in applicable proceedings as evidence for determining fault, liability or any other issue in connection with the matter to the prejudice of the person.
(2) However, if in particular applicable proceedings there is an exceptional case (for example, where there is no other evidence available for determining an issue), the decision maker may exercise a discretion to admit a statement of fact contained in an apology as evidence in the proceedings, but only if the decision maker is satisfied that it is just and equitable to do so, having regard to the public interest or the interests of the administration of justice.
(3) This section applies despite anything to the contrary in any rule of law or other rule concerning procedural matters.
(4) In this section—
decision maker (裁斷者), in relation to applicable proceedings, means the person (whether a court, a tribunal, an arbitrator or any other body or individual) having the authority to hear, receive and examine evidence in the proceedings.
9. Apology not a Limitation Ordinance acknowledgment
For the purposes of section 23 of the Limitation Ordinance (Cap. 347), an apology made by a person in connection with a matter does not constitute an acknowledgment within the meaning of that Ordinance in connection with the matter.
