Bright Shipping Ltd v. Changhong Group (HK) Ltd

Read the full judgment text of HCAJ 3/2018 on BabelCite. This HCAJ judgment was delivered on 25 February 2019.

1. I believe that the short delay by the Defendant in making this leave application is largely attributable to its erroneous belief that the Order to be appealed is a final order. I hold that the short delay is excusable.

Cites 1 case

Case No.HCAJ 3/2018[2019] HKCFI 542
Court
HCAJ
Date25 Feb 2019
Judge
Case Document
100%Judiciary

HCAJ 3/2018

[2019] HKCFI 542

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

ADMIRALTY ACTION NO. 3 OF 2018

___________________________

BETWEEN
  BRIGHT SHIPPING LIMITED Plaintiff
  and
  CHANGHONG GROUP (HK) LIMITED Defendant

___________________________

Before: Hon Anthony Chan J in Chambers
Date of Hearing: 25 February 2019
Date of Decision: 25 February 2019

________________

D E C I S I O N

________________

1.I believe that the short delay by the Defendant in making this leave application is largely attributable to its erroneous belief that the Order to be appealed is a final order. I hold that the short delay is excusable.

2.Despite Mr Luxton’s able submissions, I believe that the intended appeal has reasonable prospects of success, which is not a particularly high threshold.  The existence of parallel proceedings in different jurisdictions can be an important consideration in an application for stay of proceedings on the ground of forum non conveniens, and there is some substance in the contention that the correct approach by the court in the application of the principles deserves another visit by the Court of Appeal.

3.I therefore grant leave to appeal.

 
 
 
  (Anthony Chan)
  Judge of the Court of First Instance
High Court

Mr Nick Luxton, instructed by Holman Fenwick Willan, for the Plaintiff

Mr Edward Alder, instructed by Reed Smith Richards Butler, for the Defendant