Hong Kong Case Law: Decisions & Judgments | LexChat

Hong Kong Case Law

Dangerous drugs legislation (s.47)
  • 27 Jul 1992

    THE QUEEN v. LUM WAI MING

    Citation
    THE QUEEN v. LUM WAI MING
    Court
    Court of First Instance
    Case number
    HCCC75/1991

    The amended s.47(1)(c) (presumption based on possession of keys to a motor vehicle containing drugs) fails the threefold test (rational connection, proportionality, minimum impairment) and is inconsistent with Article 14.2 ICCPR as applied to Hong Kong and therefore ultra vires Article VII(3) of the Letters Patent and must be repealed; the amended provisions using 'physical possession' and s.47(1)(a),(b) and s.47(2) are sufficiently narrowed, justified on the balance of probabilities in the context of Hong Kong's need to combat drug trafficking, and are upheld.