Lam Wai Ming v. HKSAR

Read the full judgment text of FAMC 56/2004 on BabelCite. This FAMC judgment was delivered on 15 December 2004.

1. This application has been argued by Mr Edwin Choy with great ability.  But, in the final analysis, we feel unable to accede to his arguments.  In relation to both points urged by Mr Choy, what the trial judge said in his reasons for verdict is open to criticism, and the way in which the Court of Appeal attempted to rationalize what the trial judge said is not entirely satisfactory either.  But the reality of the whole of the case has to be considered.  And when that is done, we feel able to s

Case No.FAMC 56/2004
Court
FAMC
Date15 Dec 2004
Judge
Case Document
100%Judiciary

FAMC No. 56 of 2004

IN THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

MISCELLANEOUS PROCEEDINGS NO. 56 OF 2004 (CRIMINAL)

(ON APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO APPEAL

FROM CACC NO. 44 OF 2004)

_____________________

Between:

  LAM WAI MING Applicant
  and  
  HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION Respondent

_____________________

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

Date of Hearing: 15 December 2004

Date of Determination: 15 December 2004

______________________________

D E T E R M I N A T I O N

______________________________

Mr Justice Bokhary PJ:

1.This application has been argued by Mr Edwin Choy with great ability.  But, in the final analysis, we feel unable to accede to his arguments.  In relation to both points urged by Mr Choy, what the trial judge said in his reasons for verdict is open to criticism, and the way in which the Court of Appeal attempted to rationalize what the trial judge said is not entirely satisfactory either.  But the reality of the whole of the case has to be considered.  And when that is done, we feel able to say with confidence that there was a sound basis for convicting and that the flaws in the reasons for the verdict are to be attributed to looseness of language only. 

2.In those circumstances, we do not see any justification for letting this matter proceed to the Court of Final Appeal.  With an expression of our indebtedness to Mr Choy for his able arguments, we refuse leave to appeal.  

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

Mr Edwin Choy (instructed by Messrs Clarence Wong, Cheung & Liu) for the applicant

Mr Robert S.K. Lee (of the Department of Justice) for the respondent