HKSAR v. Cheung Wing Che

Read the full judgment text of HCMA 678/2006 on BabelCite. This High Court CFI judgment was delivered on 22 August 2006.

1. The Respondent conceded that the appeal ought to be allowed on the ground that the Deputy Special Magistrate had “stepped into the arena”.  In my view, this concession was properly made.  No doubt with the best intention, the Magistrate had indeed taken so active a part in the cross-examination of the Appellant as to have usurped the function of the prosecutor.  In the result, the trial cannot be regarded as fair.

Case No.HCMA 678/2006
Court
High Court CFI
Date22 Aug 2006
Judge
Case Document
100%Judiciary

HCMA 678/2006

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

MAGISTRACY APPEAL NO. 678 OF 2006

(ON APPEAL FROM ESS 34628 OF 2005)

____________

BETWEEN

  HKSAR Respondent
  and  
  CHEUNG WING CHE (張榮志) Appellant

____________

Before: The Honourable Mrs Justice V. Bokhary in Court

Date of Hearing: 22 August 2006

Date of Judgment: 22 August 2006

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J U D G M E N T

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1.The Respondent conceded that the appeal ought to be allowed on the ground that the Deputy Special Magistrate had “stepped into the arena”.  In my view, this concession was properly made.  No doubt with the best intention, the Magistrate had indeed taken so active a part in the cross-examination of the Appellant as to have usurped the function of the prosecutor.  In the result, the trial cannot be regarded as fair. 

2.Accordingly, the appeal is allowed to quash the conviction.

  (V. Bokhary)
Judge of the Court of First Instance
High Court

The Appellant, in person

Mr Raymond Cheng, GC of the Department of Justice, for the Respondent