R. v. Chang Siu Ming

Read the full judgment text of HCMA 833/1995 on BabelCite. This High Court CFI judgment was delivered on 13 December 1995.

1. This was an appeal against a conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The only point on the appeal and the reason for my having to allow the appeal was simply that the learned Magistrate stated in his findings that he accepted the evidence from the prosecution as credible and rejected the evidence of the defence witness. But he did so without giving any reason whatsoever for making that decision. It is almost trite law that a magistrate in his findings must give defendants reaso

Cited by 3 cases

Case No.HCMA 833/1995
Court
High Court CFI
Date13 Dec 1995
Judge
Case Document
100%Judiciary

HCMA000833/1995

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF HONG KONG

(Appellate Jurisdiction)

MAGISTRACY APPEAL NO. 833 OF 1995

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BETWEEN
THE QUEEN Respondent
AND
CHANG SIU MING Appellant

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Coram: Hon. Duffy J. in Court

Date of hearing: 7 December 1995

Date of handing down judgment: 13 December 1995

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J U D G M E N T

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1. This was an appeal against a conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The only point on the appeal and the reason for my having to allow the appeal was simply that the learned Magistrate stated in his findings that he accepted the evidence from the prosecution as credible and rejected the evidence of the defence witness. But he did so without giving any reason whatsoever for making that decision. It is almost trite law that a magistrate in his findings must give defendants reasons why they are being convicted, and that includes stating why it is that he prefers the evidence of the prosecution to the evidence of the defence. There are innumerable authorities to that effect. The appeal must be allowed.

(J.M. Duffy)
Judge of the High Court

Representation:

Mr Johnny Chan, C.C., for Crown

Mr Keith Aderberg & Mr Simon Ng (M/s Kitty So & Tong) for Appellant