Language no bar to jury duty

A juror was yesterday allowed to participate in an inquest despite being unable to take the oath in English.

One of the three-member jury to hear an inquest on a wanted man who jumped to his death during his arrest told Coroner David Thomas he was worried about understanding the proceedings.

Mr Thomas assured him most of the evidence would be in Cantonese.

The juror was then allowed to take the oath in Cantonese.

A Judiciary spokesman said there was no ban on the use of Cantonese at inquests.

'It all depends on the trial judge. No matter which official language is taken, the aim of an inquest is to deliver a fair judgment,' she said.