Ho Kwok Wah v. Group Brothers Ltd. and Another

Read the full judgment text of FAMV 30/2000 on BabelCite. This FAMV judgment was delivered on 19 December 2000 before Bokhary PJ, Chan PJ, Ribeiro PJ.

1. It is contended on the applicant's behalf that the respondents have "stolen a march" on the company and on him. We see no basis for that, and it is off the point. The point is simply this. A company of which the applicant is a shareholder was sued for a sum of money which it undisputably owed. Default judgment was obtained against the company. Service had been effected on the company at its registered office. We are unable to see how the Court of Appeal can be faulted for regarding such servi

Legal issues: Regularity of service of default judgment · Standing of shareholder to challenge judgment against company

Outcome: Application for leave to appeal to the Court of Final Appeal refused.

Case No.FAMV 30/2000
Court
FAMV
Date19 Dec 2000
JudgeBokhary PJ, Chan PJ, Ribeiro PJ
Case Document
100%Judiciary

FAMV000030/2000

FAMV No. 30 of 2000

IN THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

MISCELLANEOUS PROCEEDINGS NO. 30 OF 2000 (CIVIL)

(ON APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO APPEAL
FROM CACV NO. 152 OF 2000)

_____________________

Between:
HO KWOK WAH Applicant
AND
GROUP BROTHERS LIMITED 1st Respondent
LIM POH CHING CHRISTINA 2nd Respondent

_____________________

Appeal Committee: Mr Justice Bokhary PJ, Mr Justice Chan PJ and Mr Justice Ribeiro PJ

Date of Hearing: 19 December 2000

Date of Determination: 19 December 2000

__________________________

DETERMINATION

__________________________

Mr Justice Bokhary PJ:

1. It is contended on the applicant's behalf that the respondents have "stolen a march" on the company and on him. We see no basis for that, and it is off the point. The point is simply this. A company of which the applicant is a shareholder was sued for a sum of money which it undisputably owed. Default judgment was obtained against the company. Service had been effected on the company at its registered office. We are unable to see how the Court of Appeal can be faulted for regarding such service as regular. In any event, the applicant has no legal cause for complaint, whether derived from the company or independently on his own, against the judgment which is for payment of an undisputed debt. The application for leave to appeal to the Court of Final Appeal is refused.

2. Mr Hung, I assume that you ask for costs and that you, Mr Chain, do not oppose costs?

[Mr Hung: Yes

Mr Chain: Not opposed]

With costs.

(Kemal Bokhary) (Patrick Chan) (R.A.V. Ribeiro)
Permanent Judge Permanent Judge Permanent Judge

Representation:

Mr Benjamin Chain & Mr Au Yeung Kwan (instructed by Messrs Gary Mak, Dennis Wong & Chang) for the applicant

Mr Samson Hung (instructed by Messrs Dominic Y.K. Lai & Co.) for the respondents