LAM CHI CHUNG v. SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE

LAM CHI CHUNG v. SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE

The Court refused leave because the Applicant's addition of words to the prescribed pro forma Declaration objectively undermined the genuineness of the Declaration such that it was null and void; the SCS reasonably concluded the applicant failed to duly sign and return the Declaration and provided no reasonable...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2024] HKCFI 2679
Parties
Applicant: Lam Chi Chung; Putative Respondent: Secretary for the Civil Service
Court
Court of First Instance
Jurisdiction
Hong Kong
Judgment Date
9 October 2024
Case Number
HCAL1081/2024
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review / Leave Application (refused)
Outcome
Application for leave to apply for judicial review dismissed
Legal Topics
Declaration Compliance, Public Service Administration, Judicial Review Leave, Delay and Extension of Time, Wednesbury Unreasonableness, Costs (indemnity and Wasted Costs)
Source Language
en
Administrative Law Constitutional Law Public Law Employment Law (civil Service) Declaration Compliance Public Service Administration Judicial Review Leave Delay and Extension of Time +2 more

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Lam Chi Chung

Applicant

Secretary for the Civil Service

Putative Respondent

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review / Leave Application (refused)

  1. 1 Whether the Applicant duly signed and returned the prescribed declaration
  2. 2 Whether the SCS acted irrationally or disproportionately in concluding the declaration was invalid
  3. 3 Whether the Decision took into account an irrelevant factor

Ratio Decidendi

The Court refused leave because the Applicant's addition of words to the prescribed pro forma Declaration objectively undermined the genuineness of the Declaration such that it was null and void; the SCS reasonably concluded the applicant failed to duly sign and return the Declaration and provided no reasonable explanation; the proposed grounds were not reasonably arguable; and the application was brought far out of time without adequate justification, so no extension of time was warranted.

Court Disposition

Application for leave to apply for judicial review dismissed

Orders

  • Costs to follow the event: Applicant to pay costs of the Secretary for the Civil Service to be taxed if not agreed
  • Applicant permitted 14 days to file any list of objections to the statement of costs for summary assessment