Hong Kong Case Law: Decisions & Judgments | LexChat

Hong Kong Case Law

Juror and witness protection

  • 4 Jun 2022

    SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE v. TANG LIN LING

    Citation
    [2022] HKCFI 2467
    Court
    Court of First Instance
    Case number
    HCMP2931/2015

    Taking photographs inside the courtroom without permission amounted to criminal contempt because it risked juror and witness safety and disrupted proceedings; given remorse and lack of malicious intent a short custodial sentence (7 days) was appropriate to punish, deter and denounce the conduct.

    • Illegal photography in court
    • Juror and witness protection
    • Sentencing for contempt
    • Court disruption

  • 4 Jun 2022

    SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE v. TANG LIN LING

    Citation
    [2022] HKCFI 2467
    Court
    Court of First Instance
    Case number
    HCMP2918/2015

    Taking photographs inside the courtroom constituted criminal contempt because it risked interference with the administration of justice, caused significant disruption to proceedings and posed potential danger to jurors and witnesses; balancing deterrence and mitigation (lack of malicious intent and remorse) justified a custodial sentence of seven days.

    • Photography in court
    • Juror and witness protection
    • Sentencing principles