Hong Kong Case Law: Decisions & Judgments

Topic

Public confidence in administration of justice

Legal area

Court

2 Apr 2026

SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE v. POON CHUK HUNG

Citation

[2026] HKCFI 1986
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCMP2386/2024

Both criminal contempt (scandalizing the Labour Tribunal judge by abusive public remarks) and civil contempt (breach of the undertaking by disseminating the transcript) were proved beyond reasonable doubt; the defendant's conduct was deliberate and aggravated by multiple publications to a large public following and timing during a pending leave application; after weighing mitigation (admission, removal of material, apology, public platform useful for education) the court imposed concurrent custodial sentences resulting in an overall term of one month's imprisonment and ordered costs to the Se…
19 Jul 1991

RE JAMES PETER CHANDLER

Citation

RE JAMES PETER CHANDLER
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCMP3721/1990

The court found that although the applicant's failure to report his meeting with a wanted person was a serious lapse, it did not demonstrate permanent unsuitability for the Bar; lifelong exclusion under s.27A para d(ii) would be disproportionate given his long public service and mitigating factors, and admission would not undermine public confidence when the full circumstances are known.
19 Dec 1986

RE A BARRISTER

Citation

RE A BARRISTER
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCMP2499/1986

Socialising and close association between counsel and the presiding judge during the course of a trial, including shared accommodation, gambling and exchange of money, creates a significant risk of prejudicing public confidence and goes beyond acceptable limits of bench‑bar conduct; such conduct constitutes professional misconduct warranting censure, publication and costs.

Hong Kong Case Law

SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE v. POON CHUK HUNG

RE JAMES PETER CHANDLER

RE A BARRISTER