Hong Kong Case Law: Decisions & Judgments | LexChat

Topic

Remote hearings

Legal area

Court

31 Mar 2022

ALCOHOL COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEMS (HK) LTD AND ANOTHER v. LI CHI KONG, PETER

Citation

[2022] HKCFI 922
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCA2336/2014

Given that the two key witnesses were non-Hong Kong residents unable to attend due to pandemic-related travel and residency restrictions, and because mechanisms exist to preserve fairness (neutral venue in Canada, independent observer, interpretation and guidance-note-based directions), the court granted leave to receive their evidence by VCF rather than adjourning the trial; costs of the summons were ordered in the cause.
12 Nov 2021

RE LEE GU LAN FRANCESCA

Citation

[2021] HKCFI 3335
Court

Court of First Instance
Case number

HCMP1698/2021

The judge exercised case management discretion to refuse the summons permitting family and friends to attend the applicant's admission hearing by VCF; the decision rested on balancing public health-driven attendance limits, the ceremonial and solemn nature of admission hearings (where open justice principles apply with less force), practical difficulties with partial remote attendance, distinctions with other jurisdictions, and the need for wider consultation and considered policy before any general broadcast or routine VCF option is implemented.