Short write-ups of recent Hong Kong judgments.
Taggedburden of proofClear
On 20 October 2026, the Court of First Instance (Ng J) handed down judgment in _Choy Yuen On, David v Lam Kin Chung and Another_ [2026] HKCFI 5696, dismissing the Plaintiff's defamation claims against both Defendants in two consolidated actions (HCA 2599/2014 and HCA 110/2018). Mr Jason Pow SC and Mr Peter K C Wong, instructed by Rowdget W Young & Co, acted for the successful 1st Defendant; the 2nd Defendant appeared in person.
On 23 September 2026, the Court of Appeal (VP Kwun, JA Lam, JA Chow) handed down reasons in CACV 493/2025, Sin Chan Kam v The Incorporated Owners of Wai Sun Building, dismissing the IO's appeal against a finding of contempt of court. Mr Sin, who appeared in person throughout, was awarded $8,000 in costs.
On 4 August 2026, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in Chan Yuk Ping v Ngan Cho Lin & Huang Jian (trading as Forest Hill Company) and Forest Hill Industries Ltd, CACV 33/2024, dismissing the Respondents' appeal against the District Court's award of employees' compensation to the Applicant. Mr Steven Lau, instructed by LIMS, acted for the successful Applicant.
The dispute concerns a North Point flat purchased by the late Tan Su Chin in 1983. On 8 April 2004, the Deceased executed a Will and a Deed of Gift on the same day at Messrs S K Wong & Lee. The Deed of Gift assigned the Property to himself and the Defendant, Leong Foong Yin, as joint tenants. The Will bequeathed the Deceased's Hong Kong estate in three equal shares to his three sons from his marriage to Madam Nah. After the Deceased died in 2019, his children from Madam Nah (the Plaintiffs) sought to set aside the Deed of Gift for mistake or non est factum, alleging an "Arrangement" under which D would receive only 50% of the beneficial interest. D counterclaimed for possession, the title deeds, keys, and mesne profits.