Borrison/hk-legicost huggingface dataset:
《道歉條例草案》的主要目的，是透過釐清作出道歉在民事程序的法律後果，從而提倡和鼓勵當事人適時作出道歉，以促進和解。
The Apology Bill the Bill mainly seeks to clarify the legal consequences of making an apology in civil proceedings so as to champion and encourage the making of timely apologies among parties to civil disputes and in turn promote the reaching of settlement
法案委員會與政府當局舉行了6次會議，並在其中一次會議，聽取團體及個別人士對《條例草案》的意見。
The Bills Committee held six meetings with the Administration and received views from deputations and individuals on the Bill at one of these meetings
委員、團體及個別人士均認同《條例草案》的政策目的及支持制定道歉法例。
Members of the Bills Committee deputations and individuals agreed to the policy objective of the Bill and supported the enactment of the apology legislation
在審議過程中，法案委員會委員支持道歉所包含的事實陳述應該受到保護，但對《條例草案》第82條訂明，裁斷者在特殊情況下，可以行使酌情權，將事實陳述接納為證據，就有兩大關注。
In the course of deliberation members of the Bills Committee supported the protection of statements of fact contained in an apology . Yet they expressed two major concerns about clause 82 of the Bill in respect of the admission of statements of fact as evidence in exceptional cases at the decision makers discretion
第一，《條例草案》把裁斷者界定為法院、審裁處、仲裁員或其他具有權限在適用程序中聆聽、收取和審查證據的團體或個人。委員憂慮未曾接受法律訓練的裁斷者能否勝任行使第82條的酌情權。
First the Bill defines a decision maker as a court a tribunal an arbitrator or any body or individual having the authority to hear receive and examine evidence in the applicable proceedings but members were concerned about the competence of decision makers who were not legally trained persons to exercise the discretion under clause 82
第二，裁斷者在特殊情況下，可行使酌情權，接納事實陳述為證據，會帶來不確定性，令人不願意作出道歉，與《條例草案》鼓勵作出道歉的目的相違背。
Second members were also concerned about the uncertainties that might arise from the admission of statements of fact as evidence in exceptional cases at the decision makers discretion as this might discourage people from making apologies and thus defeat the purpose of the Bill
通常，可造成重大後果的非司法程序，都會由具有法律專業資格的人士擔任主席，或會有審裁處的法律顧問出席。
Non - judicial proceedings where there could be serious consequences were usually chaired by legally qualified persons or attended by legal advisers to the tribunals
如果任何一方因裁斷者的酌情權而感到受屈，都可以進一步向法院或上訴審裁處尋求協助。
Any party who was aggrieved by the exercise of the discretion might seek assistance from courts or appeal tribunals
因此，這方面已有足夠保障。
Therefore there was sufficient safeguard
如果只有法庭可以行使酌情權，法庭將要另行就應否行使酌情權的問題進行訴訟，對訟費和時間均會有所影響。
Conferring the discretion solely on the court would have costs and time implication as the question of whether the discretion should be exercised would have to be separately litigated in the court
政府當局亦承諾會因應任何相關的法庭裁決，檢視和覆檢《條例草案》第82條的施行。
The Administration undertook to monitor and review the operation of clause 82 in the light of any relevant court decision
至於委員的第二項關注，即裁斷者接納事實陳述為證據的酌情權，政府當局解釋，假使為事實陳述提供絕對保護，或者會損害申索人獲得公正審訊的權利，違反香港人權法案第十條及《基本法》第三十九條，而可能被法院裁定為無效。
The second concern of members related to the decision makers discretion to admit statements of fact as evidence . The Administration explained that absolute protection of statements of fact might prejudice a claimants right to a fair hearing contrary to Article 10 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights and Article 39 of the Basic Law and as such might be struck down by the court
賦予法院或其他審裁處酌情權以確保申索人可尋求公義，並不罕見。
It was not uncommon for the courts or other tribunals to be conferred such a discretionary power to ensure that the claimants have access to justice
《調解條例》正是一個例子。
The Mediation Ordinance Cap
法案委員會認為此修正案可接受。
The Bills Committee considered the proposed CSA acceptable
此外，就《條例草案》的適用範圍，法案委員會的法律顧問曾向政府當局詢問，立法會的程序是否屬於《條例草案》的適用範圍。
Moreover as to the scope of application of the Bill the Legal Adviser to the Bills Committee enquired whether the proceedings of the Legislative Council were applicable proceedings for the purposes of the Bill
政府當局澄清，在探討超過50個海外司法管轄區的道歉法例時，並未 見到有任何明訂條文把議會的程序納入道歉法例的適用範圍之內。
The Administration clarified that in its review of apology legislation in over 50 overseas jurisdictions it did not note any express provision extending the application of the apology legislation to parliamentary proceedings
政府當局認為《條例草案》並不適用於立法會程序，但鑒於《條例草案》中"適用程序"的定義相當廣闊，而立法會及其轄下的委員會、事務委員會及小組委員會的程序，是否屬於該定義的涵蓋範圍亦可能令人存有疑問。為免生疑問，政府當局就附表動議一項修正案，明確豁除立法會程序於《條例草案》的適用範圍外。
While the Administration considered the Bill did not apply to Legislative Council proceedings given the broad definition of applicable proceedings under the Bill and the possible doubts as to whether proceedings of Legislative Council and its committees panels and subcommittees would fall within that definition the Administration proposed a CSA to the Schedule to exclude specifically the Legislative Councils proceedings from the application of the Bill for the avoidance of doubt
法律事務部認為，把立法會程序及其轄下的委員會、事務委員會及小組委員會的程序豁除於《條例草案》適用範圍外，令議員在符合《議事規則》的規定下，可以繼續在上述程序中發言、質詢、動議及辯論議案及撰寫報告時，提述某人的道歉，以及將有關道歉列為考慮因素。
The Legal Service Division LSD opined that disapplication of the Bill to proceedings of Legislative Council and its committees panels and subcommittees would mean that subject to the Rules of Procedure Members would continue to be able to refer to a persons apology and take such apology into account in making speeches asking questions moving and debating motions and writing reports for the purposes of the above proceedings
全體議員已獲告知此項安排，沒有議員提出異議。
All Members were informed of the proposed arrangement and no objection had been received from Members
法案委員會對該項修正案亦無異議。
The Bills Committee also had no objection to the proposed CSA
為使公眾易於理解經制定的法例條文，法案委員會建議政府當局考慮擬訂指引，以舉例或列出日常生活例子的方式，對條例的內容及作用作出詮釋。
To assist the public to better understand the enacted statutory provisions the Bills Committee advised the Administration to consider drawing up guidelines with reference to examples or real - life scenarios for interpreting and giving effect to the provisions
當局承諾會在法例開始生效前，推行連串教育及宣傳活動，加深公眾對此項法例的認識。
The Administration assured that a series of education and publicity activities would be launched before the commencement of the enacted Ordinance to enhance public awareness on the Ordinance
法案委員會同意政府當局就《條例草案》動議上述兩項修正案，法律事務部並無發現該等修正案在法律或草擬方面有任何問題。
The Bills Committee approved of the two proposed CSAs to be moved by the Administration . LSD advised that no difficulties had been identified in relation to the legal and drafting aspects of the proposed CSAs
法案委員會不會動議任何修正案。
The Bills Committee would not move any CSAs in its name
主席，以下是我個人對《條例草案》的看法。
President I now give my personal views on the Bill as follows
主席，就《條例草案》，我十分感謝法案委員會所有參與的成員在過程中，提供很多很寶貴的意見。
President I am very grateful to all those Bills Committee members who participated in the scrutiny of the Bill for their valuable opinions
我認為《條例草案》的促成，對社會有着非常重要的作用。
I believe the passage of the Bill will be beneficial to our society
大家也知道，我們近年面對很多情況，舉例來說，在醫療事故方面，很多醫療事故的受害者或家屬往往都會告知我們一種情況，就是可能涉事的醫院或醫生，往往不願意作出任何道歉。
As Members can observe there have been several phenomena in society in recent years . One of them relates to medical incidents . Many victims of medical incidents or family members have told us that the hospitals or doctors involved in such incidents are invariably reluctant to make any apologies
歸根究底，是因為過去一旦出現任何道歉的動作或行為時，便會在某程度上有機會被引申或演繹成為承認或牽涉法律責任。因此，導致很多涉事人士不願意作出道歉。
The root cause of this is that all along any acts or actions of apology or gestures made by medical staff previously were to some extent likely conceived or construed as an admission or involvement of legal liability
一些司法管轄區在道歉法例出台後，的而且確能促進很 多法律訴訟、民事法律訴訟的和解。
In some overseas jurisdictions the implementation of apology legislation could really facilitate the settlement of many legal proceedings and civil proceedings
我相信這點對於社會是有正面作用的。
I believe that will have a positive impact on society
主席，在法案委員會審議《條例草案》的過程中，正如剛才我以法案委員會主席身份發言時已經提到，的而且確我們對於第82條，即是否應該給予法院酌情權，將道歉中連帶的一些事實陳述，引申成為法庭上的一些證據，作為證實某一方的法律責任問題上的舉證。的而且確，這點曾經在法案委員會中有過一番熱烈的爭辯。
President as I have mentioned in my capacity as Chairman of the Bills Committee in the scrutiny of the Bill the Bills Committee had indeed a heated debate on clause 82 in respect of whether a discretion should be conferred on courts to admit statements of fact contained in an apology as evidence in court proceedings to prove the legal liability of a certain party
主席，我也明白有委員曾經提出，如果容許裁斷者行使酌情權，就會中門大開，導致很容易便會出現不確定性，而導致很多人在道歉時，恐怕他所說的話中連帶的事實陳述，原來會被引申在法庭使用，作為舉證自己的法律責任。
President I am also aware of the concern of some members that the gate will be left wide open and thus uncertainties will easily arise if we allow the decision maker to exercise discretion . The discretion will strike fear into apology makers that the statements of fact accompanying their apologies will be used in court proceedings to prove their legal liabilities
由於這個原因，就給予酌情權而言，有很多意見認為不應給予酌情權，因為它會造成不確定性，最終導致那些涉事的人寧願不作出道歉。
Due to that reason many considered that no discretionary power should be given otherwise uncertainties may arise and people involved will be discouraged from making any apologies at all
如果我們不能完全符合《基本法》或《香港人權法案條例》的要求，日後是有機會被法庭裁定《條例草案》無效的，繼而會出現另一種情況，就是如果《條例草案》被裁定違反《基本法》或《香港人權法案條例》而致無效，法院更可能在這種情況下，引用其他司法管轄區的一些例子，包括某些司法管轄區對於行使這些酌情權是非常寬鬆的，其不確定性更大，而法庭可能會引用司法管轄區的判例來處理日後的個案。
If the Bill fails to fully comply with the Basic Law or the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance it may be struck down by the court in future . In other words if the Bill is ruled null and void by the court for contravening the Basic Law or the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance this will lead to the situation where the court may draw reference from overseas including some jurisdictions which allow the exercise of the very loose discretion and thus gives rise to greater uncertainty . In addition the Court may refer to legal precedents in other jurisdictions when dealing with local cases in future
相反，這種情況可能對我們帶來更大的不確定性。所以，權衡輕重後，法案委員會委員達成了共識。
In view that this situation will cause greater uncertainty and having weighed the pros and cons Bills Committee members had reached a consensus
我們認為這酌情權是有需要的，亦要符合《基本法》或《香港人權法案條例》。
We considered the discretionary power necessary and the provision of such a power essential for complying with the Basic Law or the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance
不過，我們仍要強調，它必須在非常有限的情況下，才會被行使。
However we have to emphasize that the power should be exercised with strict limitations
例如我們看到《條例草案》下有一個例子，就是當所有證據都不存在，而唯一的證據就是靠《條 例草案》所述的事實陳述的情況下，法庭只有在這情況下可以考慮行使酌情權。
An example in the Bill is only if there is no evidence available for determining an issue other than the statements of fact contained in an apology the court may consider exercising the discretion
這是一個例子。
That is an example
主席，值得一提的是，在法案委員會的委員曾提出了一些意見，最後政府當局接納了，願意就第82條提出今次政府的修正案，將原本的寫法稍為改變，從而希望能做到既吸納委員的意見，同時又可以符合提供酌情權的原則。
President it is worth noting that the Administration has accepted some views given by Bills Committee members and proposed a CSA to clause 82 . The drafting of the original clause was slightly revised to take members views on board and meet the principle of the vesting of the discretionary power
主席，我謹以人力事務委員會主席的身份，就事務委員會本立法年度的工作，向立法會提交報告。
President in my capacity as Chairman of the Panel on Manpower the Panel I submit to the Legislative Council the report of the Panel for the current legislative session
由於事務委員會的工作已詳載於報告內，我只會重點闡述事務委員會的數項主要工作。
As the work of the Panel has already been detailed in the report I will only highlight several major areas of work of the Panel
事務委員會十分關注僱員權益保障。
Protection for employees rights and benefits was high on the Panels agenda
委員特別關注就僱員在工作期間因工受傷的補償機制。委員促請政府當局採取具體措施，確保能迅速處理工傷補償的申索個案。
Members are particularly concerned with the compensation mechanism for employees who sustained injuries in the course of their employment and called on the Administration to take concrete measures to ensure the expeditious handling of cases of work injury compensation claims
政府當局表示，政府已加強對涉及爭議受傷個案的支援，以盡快消除僱傭雙方之間的分歧，讓受傷的僱員能早日獲得法定的補償。
According to the Administration the Government has enhanced support for work injury cases in dispute to resolve differences between employers and employees so that the injured employees will be able to receive statutory compensation early
工時政策為事務委員會另一主要關注事項。
The working hours policy was the Panels another major issue of concern
就政府當局提出以立法方式規定僱主為每月工資11,000元以下的基層僱員訂立書面僱傭合約的建議，部分委員對政府當局不就標準工時立法的決定，表示極度不滿及失望。但是，亦有委員認同當局的建議，認為建議為工時政策踏出了一步。
Regarding the Administrations proposal that a legislative approach be adopted to mandate employers to enter into written employment contracts with employees earning a monthly wage of below 11,000 which shall include the specified working hours terms and the arrangements for overtime compensation some members were gravely dissatisfied with and disappointed by the Administrations decision of not legislating for standard working hours while there were members who acknowledged the Governments proposal considering it a step forward in respect of the working hours policy
事務委員會會繼續跟進相關立法建議的內容及法例實施的安排。
The Panel will continue to follow up on the contents of the relevant legislative proposals and the arrangements for implementation of the legislation
事務委員會高度重視職業安全。
The Panel attached a great deal of importance to occupational safety
鑒於港珠澳大橋本地工程發生了連串致命工業意外，委員深切關注是否因為承建商為趕上工程進度而犧牲安全作業方式所致。
In view of a series of fatal industrial accidents occurred at the construction sites of Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge local projects members had grave concern as to whether the occurrence of such accidents was attributable to catching up with works progress at the expense of safe work practices
委員促請政府當局深入調查意外的成因，並針對不安全的作業方式，制訂預防措施及採取針對性的執法行動。
Members urged the Administration to conduct in - depth investigations into the causes of accidents while drawing up preventive measures against unsafe work practices and launching targeted enforcement actions
事務委員會亦通過議案，強烈促請當局加重對違反職安健法例人士的罰則，並禁止涉及致命工業意外的承建商於緊隨意外發生後1年內投標政府工程合約，以加強阻嚇作用。
The Panel also passed a motion strongly urging the authorities to increase the penalties on people having breached the relevant occupational safety and health legislation and forbid the company involved in a fatal industrial accident to tender in government works contracts within the one year immediately following the occurrence of the accident so as to enhance the deterrence effect
委員籲請政府當局因應市場需求，為這些求職人士提供合適的培訓及職業轉介。
Members called on the Administration to provide these job seekers with appropriate training and employment referral service having regard to the manpower demand in the market
主席，我以財經事務委員會副主席的身份，提交本年度的工作報告，並概述數項重點工作。
President in my capacity as the Deputy Chairman of the Panel on Financial Affairs the Panel I submit the report on the work of the Panel for the current session and briefly highlight several major items of work of the Panel
就香港宏觀經濟事宜，委員關注到香港經濟面對的風險，包括美國和歐洲在政策及政治方面的不確定性，以及貿易保護主義情緒可能升溫等。
With regards to matters relating to macro - economic issues of Hong Kong members noted the risks to the Hong Kong economy including uncertainties surrounding policy and political developments in the United States and Europe and the possible rise in protectionist sentiment on the Hong Kong economy
委員促請政府採取措施吸引外來投資，提升香港的競爭力，以及扶助產業。
Members urged the Government to implement measures to attract foreign investments enhance Hong Kongs competitiveness and assist industries
在樓市方面，委員深切關注到，雖然政府推出了多項應付物業市場過熱的措施，但物業價格仍然持續攀升；而買家借入二按貸款亦有上升趨勢。
As to the property market members expressed grave concern about the continual surge in property prices despite the implementation of a number of measures to deal with the over - heated property market and the increasing number of property buyers seeking top - up loans
委員促請政府採取預防措施，以應對物業市道可能出現急挫的情況，以確保金融穩定。
Members urged the Government to take precautionary measures against any possible property slump so as to ensure financial stability
在香港金融管理局的工作方面，委員要求金管局正視客戶在開立銀行帳戶時遇到困難的情況，並督促銀行作出改善。
Regarding the work of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority HKMA members urged HKMA to look into the difficulties encountered by entities in opening bank accounts and to press banks to make improvement
部分委員亦促請金管局採取措施，確保銀行為弱勢社群提供基本銀行服務。
Some members urged HKMA to take steps to ensure banks to provide basic banking services for socially disadvantaged groups
在發展香港的金融科技方面，委員促請政府檢討現時的相關政策及監管制度，以積極配合金融科技的迅速發展和業界的運作。
About the developments of the financial technologies Fintech Members urged the Government to review the current policies and regulatory regimes so as to cope with the rapid development in Fintech and meeting the industrys operational needs
證券及期貨事務監察委員會和香港交易及結算所有限公司於2016年就改善香港聯合交易所的上市監管決策及管治架構進行公眾諮詢。
The Securities and Futures Commission SFC and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited HKEX launched a public consultation on enhancements to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limiteds decision - making and governance structure for listing regulation in 2016
部分委員對建議設立上市監管委員會表示保留，擔心會拖慢上市申請審批程序，以及不當地擴大證監會在上市監管方面的權力。
Some members expressed reservation on the proposed establishment of the Listing Regulatory Committee as there were concerns that it would delay the approval process of listing applications and unduly increase SFCs power in listing regulation
部分委員則支持成立上市政策委員會，為證監會、港交所及持份者之間就商議重要上市政策，提供一個合適的平台。
Some members were supportive of the proposed Listing Policy Committee to provide a suitable platform for SFC HKEX and the stakeholders to discuss important listing policies and issues
政府曾向事務委員會簡介香港申請加入亞洲基礎設施投資銀行的建議。
The Government had briefed the Panel on its proposal for Hong Kong to apply for membership in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank AIIB
委員普遍支持香港加入亞投行，以助香港把握"一帶一路"策略所帶來的機遇。
Members in general supported Hong Kong to become a member of AIIB which would help Hong Kong tapping the opportunities arising from the Belt and Road Initiative
委員促請政府更積極爭取亞投行在香港設立企業財資中心的工作。
Members urged the Administration to step up efforts in pursuing the setting up of AIIBs corporate treasury centre in Hong Kong
最後，我感謝各委員過去一年積極參與事務委員會的工作，以及秘書處對事務委員會的支援。
Lastly I wish to thank members for their active participation in the work of the panel and the Secretariat for providing their support to the Panel during the past year
主席，對於政府提出的《道歉條例草案》，我認為提倡道歉以排解爭端這個立法原意值得支持。
President speaking of the Apology Bill the Bill introduced by the Government I think the legislative intent of promoting the making of apologies to facilitate the resolution of disputes is worth supporting
雖然條例草案本身有不少局限，但其設計已涵蓋公營機構和政府部門，相信將有助這些機構承認錯誤、向公眾道歉。
The Bill admittedly has many limitations but it can already cover public organizations and government departments and I believe this will facilitate their admission of mistakes and making of apologies to the public
但是，我必須強調一點，《道歉條例草案》絕不 可變相成為一項卸責的條例，認錯不代表事情完結、不用追究，徹查及跟進工作仍然十分重要。
However I must emphasize that the Bill must never be used as a means of denying responsibility . The admission of mistakes does not mean the end of everything and all actions . Thorough investigation and follow - up actions are still very important
一直以來，政府部門即使犯錯也非常不願意向公眾道歉，特別在醫療事故方面，情況尤為嚴重。
Government departments have all along been very reluctant to offer apologies to the public even though they have made mistakes and the situation is particularly serious in the handling of complaints about medical incidents
明明已到了人命攸關的地步，但醫院管理局和肇事醫生仍然堅拒道歉，最多只答允調查和跟進。
In most cases although life and death is obviously involved the Hospital Authority and the doctors in question still flatly refuse to apologize and will at most undertake to conduct investigation and follow - up accordingly
而且，暫且不說會否循法律途徑追討公道，肇事人在面對受害人時，若態度上並非真正有誠意作出道歉，我認為也難以令人釋懷。
Furthermore disregarding whether any legal actions are to be taken to pursue justice I do not think any victims can be soothed if the one in the wrong shows no sincerity when making an apology
當然，我們不能排除有部門人員真的認為自己沒有犯錯，所以拒絕道歉，但依我們觀察，不願意道歉有一個重要原因，就是擔心道歉行為日後會在法庭上成為不利證據，因而造成明知有錯也不願意向公眾道歉的情況。
We cannot rule out the possibility that some departmental staff may refuse to apologize because they really believe that they have done nothing wrong . But we also observe that one major reason for their reluctance to apologize actually stems from their worry that any acts of apology may be used as evidence against them in court in the future . Hence they are unwilling to apologize to the public even though they know perfectly well that they are in the wrong
因此，政府提出《道歉條例草案》，以鼓勵政府部門向受影響市民道歉，而無須擔心可能引致的法律責任，正是為了處理這種明知有錯而不敢道歉的情況。
To tackle such reluctance to apologize for clear mistakes the Government now introduces the Bill to rid government departments of their worry about any ensuing liability in the future and thus encourage them to apologize to the affected people
可能有人會質疑，道歉是否真的有用？道歉有否意義？
Some people may question if making an apology is really useful and they also wonder if an apology can be of any meaning at all
就這一點，我認為道歉的效果雖然有其局限，但仍有少許意義存在。
On my part I think an apology can still be of some meaning despite its limited effect
事實上，我一直以來曾接獲不少牽涉醫療事故的求助個案，事情性質有輕有重，當中部分受影響病人或家屬未必願意訴諸法律，亦不一定堅持要有金錢賠償。
Actually I have received many requests for assistance regarding medical incidents . Some of these involve serious mistakes but others are just minor ones . Some affected patients or their family members may not always want to take any legal actions nor do they always demand any monetary compensation
因為這樣做往往要經歷沉重而繁瑣的法律程序或訴訟，不單極花時間，亦會牽起他們的傷痛回憶，導致身心疲累。
The reason is that if they do so they must invariably undergo tiring and onerous legal and litigation proceedings . All this will not only waste time but also reopen their old wounds thus plunging them into physical and mental exhaustion
因此，在我接觸的個案中，尤其是一些牽涉不十分嚴重醫療失誤的個案，投訴人往往只想聽到院方或醫護人員發自內心的道歉，還他們一個公道。
Hence in some cases I have handled especially those involving less serious medical blunders the complainants only wanted to hear a heart - felt apology from the hospitals or health care personnel concerned in order to do themselves justice
同時，他們更希望藉着道歉帶來改善，令這些不幸事件不會繼續發生。
They also hoped that an apology could bring forth improvement and prevent the occurrence of similar unfortunate incidents
很多時明明已有證據，但政府仍不願意承認錯誤，只表示會繼續調查、檢討和跟進等，令公眾十分反感。
In many cases there is clear evidence but the Government is still reluctant to admit its mistakes and will only say that it will continue to investigate review and follow up the cases much to the discontent of the public
而且，經翻查資料後，可發現以申訴專員公署去年的數字而言，在所接獲的2,907宗個案中，只有248宗個案的投訴人獲得道歉，其中甚至有230宗是在申訴專員公署介入後才願意道歉。
Moreover statistics show that of all the 2 907 cases received by the Ombudsman last year only 248 cases ended with the offer of an apology to the complainant . And in 230 cases an apology was made only after the intervention of the Ombudsman
我相信背後原因是政府部門擔心在道歉後會引致法律責任。
I think the underlying reason for this must be the Governments worry that offering an apology will lead to legal liabilities
因此，申訴專員公署曾經指出，不少受到不公平對待的投訴人堅持作出投訴，很多時是因為當局的行政失當令他們氣難平。
But the Ombudsman has in fact pointed out that very often unfairly treated complainants will insist on lodging a complaint just because they feel aggrieved by government maladministration
即使是氣難平，他們不一定是要追討賠償，鬧上法庭又殊不容易，所以投訴人亦無意這樣做。
But despite their grievance they do not always want to seek compensation . And since bringing their cases to court is no easy task many complainants do not have any such intention anyway
因此，如果部門能主動向他們作出道歉，事情便可由大化小，由小化無，可避免沒完沒了的爭議，事情便容易解決。
Therefore if the department concerned can make an apology of its own accord a big problem can thus be turned into a small one and a small one into nothing . In this way protracted disputes can be avoided and problems can be resolved very easily
《道歉條例草案》鼓勵作出道歉，而撇除道歉人在道歉時的法律責任外，我認為有一點相當重要，就是可藉道歉調解爭端，減輕受害人或受影響人的焦慮和憤怒等負面情緒。
The Bill encourages the making of apologies by ridding the apologizing party of any legal liabilities . I think one very important point here is that the making of an apology can thus serve as a means of resolving a dispute alleviating the negative emotions such as anxiety and anger felt by the victims or the people affected
如真的不願意道歉，也是無可奈何，那麼該怎麼辦呢？
This means that if no one wants to make an apology nothing can be done . What are we going to do then?
試想一下，在這情況下，即使訂有法例，道歉的數字可能會略有增加，但能否肯定政府部門的同事願意向當事人作出道歉，仍然成疑。
That being the case we can well imagine that even though the enactment of the Bill may bring a slight increase in the number of apologies it is still doubtful whether the staff of government departments will be willing to apologize to the affected persons
所以，我切實認為政府要建立一種文化，就是敢於承擔責任，敢於向公眾道歉的文化，否則單靠立法將未必能發揮很大作用。因此，我認為要令投訴人不再氣難平，政府便要改變其處事方針與文化。主席，我想提出的另一點，是不論在私人機構、公營機構還是政府部門，不願意道歉並非只出於法律上的考慮，還有另一原因，就是礙於面子問題。
Hence I really think that the Government must foster a culture within itself one which is marked by a readiness to assume responsibility and apologize to the public